Montreal, January 18, 2022 – Following Minister Jean Boulet’s announcement on Friday that the minimum wage in Quebec will go from $13.50 to $14.25 an hour, certain community groups and unions suggested that this was a missed opportunity to raise it to $18 an hour.

Montreal, January 12, 2022 – Following the Legault government’s announcement regarding the possible introduction of an additional health tax for unvaccinated individuals, Miguel Ouellette, Director of Operations and Economist at the MEI, had some thoughts on the matter.

Montréal, le 5 janvier 2022 – Les chercheurs de l’Institut économique de Montréal ont cru bon de tenter de justifier statistiquement et scientifiquement la mesure du couvre-feu. Après analyses, leurs modèles économétriques ne démontrent aucun effet du couvre-feu sur le nombre de cas.

Montreal, December 2, 2021 – While the Canadian health care system’s capacity to treat more patients during the pandemic remains particularly low, a clear majority of Canadians (58%) want their governments to allow increased access to health care services provided by entrepreneurs, versus just 27% who are opposed to this. Moreover, according to the Ipsos poll commissioned by the Montreal Economic Institute, a majority of Canadians (52%) also agree that the rate of increase in health care spending is unsustainable.

Montreal, November 30, 2021 – Contrary to perceptions disseminated by certain of its opponents, the forestry industry continues to innovate, and increasingly contributes to the fight against climate change. In a new publication launched by the Montreal Economic Institute, co-authors Olivier Rancourt and Miguel Ouellette provide a survey of some of the innovations implemented by this industry.

Montreal, November 25, 2021 – Following the tabling of the economic update by Finance Minister Éric Girard, two economists from the Montreal Economic Institute had some thoughts on the matter.

Montreal, November 23, 2021 – For several years now, a number of observers have noted a slowdown in economic and social mobility in Canada. While some try to establish a link between economic inequality and social mobility (that is, individuals’ potential to improve their lot), the reality is that bolstering economic freedom is a central piece of the puzzle. In a new publication launched today by the Montreal Economic Institute, authors Vincent Geloso and James Dean identify barriers to economic and social mobility that could easily be eliminated.

Montreal, November 17, 2021 – With COP26 just coming to a close in Glasgow, only 25% of Canadians (and 36% of Quebecers) are of the opinion that this conference helped find solutions to climate change. Health care and the economy clearly remain the top priorities for the Canadian population, and 65% of Canadians are not prepared to pay a single cent more to fight climate change.

Montreal, November 12, 2021 – Yesterday morning, economist Germain Belzile passed away surrounded by loved ones. Michel Kelly-Gagnon, President and CEO of the Montreal Economic Institute, wished to highlight Mr. Belzile’s remarkable contribution to Quebec public life.

Montreal, November 4, 2021 – With many policy-makers gathered in Glasgow for COP26, the Quebec government made a big show of announcing over $5 billion in spending for the purchase of electric city buses. According to the Montreal Economic Institute’s preliminary calculations, this would be one of the most expensive and least effective measures for reducing Quebec’s GHG emissions. Miguel Ouellette, Director of Operations and Economist at the MEI, had some thoughts on the matter.