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A strong majority of Quebecers supports the development of the oil sands and has a positive image of Alberta, according to a Leger Marketing poll
Montreal, March 31, 2011 – As part of its Plea for a Quebec-Alberta Dialogue, the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) today unveils the results of a very interesting poll on Quebecers’ perceptions of certain political and economic issues related to Alberta.
As it turns out, 61% of Quebecers have a positive image of Alberta. Furthermore, over two thirds (68%) agree with the notion that Quebec must strengthen its political and economic ties with this province.
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Montreal Economic Institute Debt Clock update: Retirement plans for public sector employees add $71 billion to Quebec’s debt
Friday, March 18, 2011 – In the Viewpoint on the debt of the Quebec government, Youri Chassin, economist at the Montreal Economic Institute, examines the retirement plans liability for public sector employees, which is to say the amounts the government has failed to set aside year after year to pay the retirement benefits promised to its employees. This liability has reached $71 billion.
3-minute read
Quebec’s Occupational Health and Safety Plan: Fewer Accidents, Higher Costs
Montreal, February 24, 2011 – In the last 20 years, rates of industrial accidents and occupational diseases have been falling constantly in Quebec. The number of deaths has followed this same trend, with a 75% decline in proportion to the number of workers. However, despite this very positive record, the costs of the system run by the CSST (Quebec’s Occupational Health and Safety Commission) have kept rising. In an Economic Note published by the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI), Jacques L.
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Le SCFP a-t-il lu la publication de l’IEDM avant de la commenter?
Montreal, January 31, 2011 – « Les commentaires du SCFP, émis par voie de communiqué aujourd’hui, démontrent une lecture superficielle de la publication sur le modèle de syndicalisation québécois rendue publique par l’Institut économique de Montréal », selon Michel Kelly-Gagnon, P.-D. G. de l’IEDM.
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Quebec’s unionization model is an anomaly that must be corrected by giving workers greater liberty
Montreal, January 31, 2011 – When the time comes for the members of the National Assembly to examine the possibility of updating the Labour Code, it is the freedom of choice of workers that should be foremost in their minds. Indeed, the authors of an Economic Note published today by the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI), Louis Fortin and Michel Kelly-Gagnon, note that the Quebec unionization model is an anomaly when compared to the situation that prevails in most free and democratic societies, including the 47 countries of the Council of Europe.
2-minute read
Former UPA economist proposes reforms based on entrepreneurship in document published by the Montreal Economic Institute
Montreal, December 15, 2010 – Now that the projectors at the UPA annual meeting have been shut off, and with a new Quebec agricultural policy in the works, it seems like a good time to scrutinize the costs and efficiency of current farm assistance programs. In 2008-2009, the Canadian agriculture and agri-food industry received $7.9 billion in government aid. In a Viewpoint published today, Mario Dumais, former UPA publications director and member of the Pronovost Commission, argues that the current support programs for the agriculture and agri-food industry are expensive, do not achieve their goals and entail unfortunate consequences for society as a whole.
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Workers are the first to suffer from corporate tax hikes, according to the Montreal Economic Institute
Montreal, December 8, 2010 – The fact that governments have made considerable efforts in recent years to reduce the tax burdens of businesses is good news for workers. In fact, corporate income taxes mainly harm workers, in addition to scaring off foreign and local investors. "Taxing corporations instead of individuals can be a very seductive option politically.
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Meeting of education partners – Tuition fees must be liberalized, according to the Montreal Economic Institute
Montreal, December 6, 2010 – As part of the next "meeting of education partners" on December 6 to discuss university financing and accessibility, the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) suggests allowing universities to set their own tuition fees and letting those fees vary according to program of study.
3-minute read
The “rich” pay more than their share of taxes, according to a Montreal Economic Institute study
Montreal, November 19, 2010 – In an Economic Note published today by the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI), Germain Belzile and Michel Kelly-Gagnon compare the tax burdens of different Quebec taxpayers according to their income. With the assistance of a tax specialist from Samson Bélair/Deloitte & Touche, they conclude that not only do "the rich" not escape from paying taxes, their tax contribution is substantially greater than their share of income, contrary to popular belief.
2-minute read
Investissement de Pfizer à Montréal: une initiative qui enrichira le Québec
Montréal, 11 novembre 2010 –La pharmaceutique Pfizer a dévoilé hier un plan d’investissement de 22 millions de dollars pour des travaux majeurs à son siège social, situé à Kirkland. Cette annonce est une bonne nouvelle pour l’économie montréalaise et québécoise.