Montreal, December 8, 2009 – A few days before federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s pre-budget consultations begin, the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) is publishing a research paper on the crisis that began in 2007. It shows in particular how the positive effects on employment that are attributed to stimulus packages based on government spending pale in comparison to natural job creation in the private sector. This observation should encourage the finance minister to hold firm on his intention to avoid new public spending commitments in his next budget.

Montreal, September 30, 2009 – The Ontario-Quebec Trade and Cooperation Agreement that comes into effect on October 1 is especially welcome because of the trade opening dynamic it creates, says an Economic Note published today by the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI).

Montreal, September 18, 2009 – The Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) has just released a Quebec debt clock on its website. It shows the growth in public sector debt in real time based on data provided by the Department of Finance in its 2009-2010 Budget Plan.

Montreal, September 10, 2009 – More than seven out of 10 people in Quebec feel the government should amend the current law to establish mandatory secret ballot voting among employees involved in an application for union certification. Support for such a change is even higher among unionized workers, at 80%.

Montreal, July 15, 2009 – Seasonal storage of floodwaters from three unexploited rivers that flow into James Bay and the channelling of this water to the Ottawa River would provide for the generation of 14 terawatt-hours of hydroelectric energy per year, producing annual revenues of nearly $2 billion.

Montreal, June 12, 2009 – Bill 40 amending the Balanced Budget Act, currently being debated in the National Assembly, is unjustified and opens a Pandora’s box, says Michel Kelly-Gagnon, president and CEO of the Montreal Economic Institute.

Montreal, June 4, 2009 – Consumers should be free to choose the Internet price and service combinations that best suit their needs rather than have the government legislate in the development of an industry as volatile as the Internet.

Montreal, May 28, 2009 – Private investment is an essential part of economic recovery and must be encouraged, according to the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI). “Private investment totals more than $270 billion annually, nearly 10 times as high as the public investment announced in the recovery plan in the federal budget,” MEI president and CEO Michel Kelly-Gagnon said.

Montreal, May 25, 2009 – An essay titled Manifesto for a Competitive Social Democracy by Marcel Boyer, vice president and chief economist of the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI), says globalization of markets makes it necessary to revitalize social democracy, redefining the roles of governmental and competitive sectors.

Montreal, May 6, 2009 – In a Viewpoint published by the Montreal Economic Institute, economist David Descôteaux determines that gross debt as of March 31, 2009, stood at $151.4 billion, or 49.9% of the province’s annual GDP. Quebec’s debt, already above the Canadian average, has started going up again after several years under control. Quebec government spending is on the rise because of growing program costs. Can Quebec’s government finances hold up without unduly raising the debt?