Montreal, Thursday, May 9, 2013 – Excess weight is a complex phenomenon resulting from a broad range of factors related to diet, personal habits, physical characteristics and social surroundings. However, in the last few years we have been seeing a change in attitude from organizations devoted to promoting healthy living habits. Increasingly, they are advocating coercive solutions based on taxation. These solutions, unfortunately, are not effective at reducing Canadians’ waistlines.

Montreal, Tuesday, April 16, 2013 – Without a doubt, questions regarding energy policies are among the hot topics addressed in Canada. The Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) is releasing today an energy portrait the province of Quebec in which we learn that 53 % of the energy consumed in Quebec comes from fossil fuels.

Montreal, Wednesday, April 3, 2013 – With a parliamentary committee on the regulation of new book prices yet to be announced by the minister of culture, a Léger poll has found that nearly two-thirds of Quebecers (65%) are opposed to this idea, which is intended to help smaller bookstores but would have the effect of raising the average price of books sold in stores.

Montreal, Tuesday, March 26, 2013 – Which American president presided over a 39% jump in the relative size of government? The “right-wing” Republican George W. Bush. In Quebec, which political party reduced the relative size of the state by 19% over 10 years? The “left-wing” PQ governments of Parizeau, Bouchard and Landry.

Montreal, March 20, 2013 – The recent global economic crisis was an opportunity for many to blame capitalism for the problems with financial derivatives. Steve Forbes, John Allison, Larry Reed and Michel Kelly-Gagnon were quick to answer these criticisms and to share their profound convictions regarding the virtues of the free market. These four public figures are among the guests of the Free Markets Series presented in 2012 as a part of The World Show, broadcast on PBS affiliate stations.

Montreal, Wednesday, March 6, 2013 – Quebec’s direct debt amounts to 47% of GDP, the highest ratio among all Canadian provinces. Unusually low interest rates make this heavy burden sustainable, at least for the time being. But what will happen when borrowing costs rise? Lenka Martinek, chief strategist of Daily Insights at BCA Research, estimates that a 2% rise in interest rates would require $1.3 billion in additional spending on debt service in 2018. And this scenario does not take account of a potential recession.

Montréal, le vendredi 1er mars 2013 – À la lecture de l’article de Kathleen Lévesque paru dans La Presse du 28 février et intitulé « Les Québécois ne sont pas les plus taxés », les contribuables ont voulu croire, ne serait-ce que l’espace d’un instant, qu’ils n’étaient pas le

Montreal, Thursday February 7, 2013 – Far from contributing to the vitality of Quebec culture, the establishment of a fixed book price, as proposed by the Nos livres à juste prix (Our books at a fair price) lobby group, would ultimately reduce total book sales by 14%. Quebec titles would be even harder hit, with a 17% drop in sales. This is the first time these figures have been available for the province of Quebec, and the details of the calculations can be found in an MEI Note published today.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012 – Quebecers still pay the highest taxes in North America, but do they at least get their money’s worth?

“There is plenty of room for improvement in making the government more efficient, especially by reforming work organization,” answers Yanick Labrie, author of a new publication from the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI). He points out that Sweden’s public sector employment scheme has undergone something of a revolution.

Montreal, December 11, 2012 — The Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) has awarded its two annual economic education prizes, each including a $3,000 grant, to Tasha Kheiriddin, commentator at the National Post and on CTV, and to Éric Duhaime, who appeared in several venues like the Journal de Québec, Isabelle le matin, Dumont and Radio X.