Do Canadians save enough for retirement? What is the government's responsibility in the matter? All across Canada, these questions have taken centre stage over the past year. Several major public plan reform proposals are being discussed. They all begin with the same observation, that people are not saving enough for retirement, and they all propose similar solutions based on mandatory saving. This Economic Note asks if the diagnosis is correct, and if the proposed solutions are adequate.

Proposals to expand Canadian public pension plans.

The unexpected effects of taxes.

The size of the Quebec government's debt on 2014-2015 Budget Day.

Over the last five years, the MEI has published an annual Viewpoint on Quebec government debt on budget day. Continuing the tradition, this Viewpoint also explores what has been accomplished up to now to reduce the deficit and return ultimately to balanced budgets. What happened to cause this target to be missed? Which commitments were respected, and which ones were not? Was it revenue that failed to rise enough, or was it spending that grew more quickly than expected?

Tabling of the 2014 Flaherty budget.

The electrification of transport.

How taxes on products deemed harmful do not necessarily have the desired effects.

Tabling of the 2014 Flaherty budget.

Tabling of the 2014 Flaherty budget.