
2-minute read
British Columbia to hike minimum wage; Alberta takes a more nuanced approach
In response to inflation hitting a 30-year high and the cost of living rising at a head-spinning pace, British Columbia is set to increase its minimum wage by approximately 3% on June 1st, from $15.20 to $15.65 per hour.

4-minute read
The sky-high costs of public construction projects in Ontario
While Bill 66 was a step in the right direction, important challenges remain that are preventing the realization of the full potential of this legislation and uselessly increasing project costs.

10-minute read
How to Reduce Construction Costs in Ontario – Modernizing the Construction Industry
The economic situation in recent years has pushed construction project costs up considerably. While this is true across the country, the regulatory framework governing the construction industry in Ontario poses additional challenges that further raise costs. After analyzing the application (or not) of Bill 66 by the cities Hamilton, Toronto, and the region of Waterloo, MEI researchers concluded that this bill has some blind spots, and that maintaining the status quo will have major repercussions not only on the province’s construction industry, but also on Ontario taxpayers.

4-minute read
Minimum wage hike: An effective measure?
Quebec workers deserve better than temporary and ill-advised aid that will hurt our entrepreneurs who are struggling just to keep their heads above water.

4-minute read
Hausse du salaire minimum: une politique efficace?
Vendredi dernier, nous apprenions que le salaire minimum au Québec passera de 13,50 $ à 14,25 $. Il s’agit d’une croissance fort décevante pour les organisations qui, comme la FTQ d’ailleurs, revendiquent plutôt une hausse draconienne à 18 $/h.

6-minute read
The Unintended Negative Consequences of Significantly Raising the Minimum Wage
Following Minister Jean Boulet’s announcement 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. The authors of this publication conclude that even though a hike to $18 an hour may seem beneficial for low-income workers, this steep 33% increase would have negative consequences on the financial health of a range of companies in the retail, food services, and accommodation sectors. They even maintain that many workers in these sectors could lose their jobs.

2-minute read
Yes, policing should be reformed
Both the Alberta government and the union representing the RCMP have planned a number of town hall meetings throughout 2022 to discuss moving toward a provincial police force.

6-minute read
Retraites : capitalisons comme au Québec pour soulager les contribuables
Le système de retraite partiellement capitalisé du Québec mérite que l’on s’y attarde et que l’on en tire des leçons.

2-minute read
More Regulations, More Problems
You might think that a doctor in, say, Ontario would automatically be allowed to work in neighbouring Manitoba. But you would be wrong.

3-minute read
On economics, Ford is the new Wynne
Advocates claim minimum wage hikes help workers, but evidence shows quite the opposite.