Montreal, January 12, 2017 – President-elect Donald Trump’s recent declarations about wanting to impose tariffs at the U.S.-Mexico border to protect the American auto industry pose a threat to the Canadian industry and the thousands of jobs that depend on it, shows a Viewpoint published today by the MEI.

Montreal, December 15, 2016 – While Quebecers are in full holiday shopping mode, a comparison of rates shows that sales taxes are higher here than in most of the provinces and American states that border us.

For example, last year, a financial institution estimated that each Quebecer would spend an average of around $1,060 in gifts and entertainment during the holiday period. The sales taxes included in such an amount represent $138, whereas they total just C$78 in Plattsburgh, New York, and C$57 in Burlington, Vermont.

Montreal, December 8, 2016 – Labour Minister Dominique Vien will soon announce Quebec’s minimum wage for the year 2017. The MEI would like to remind the government that a dramatic increase would threaten thousands of jobs in the province. Moreover, an Economic Note published today shows that such a policy would have a disproportionate effect on jobs in rural regions, and accelerate the rural exodus.

Montreal, December 6, 2016 – Thanks to effective spending control and a budget surplus, Quebec Finance Minister Carlos Leitao succeeded in reducing the government’s gross debt by $610 million—the first reduction in nearly 60 years! Given this provincial budget update, the MEI’s Debt Clock must also be adjusted. Based on the Finance Department’s projections, it has been revised downward in light of the slower-than-expected growth of the public sector debt, which is excellent news.

Montreal, November 30, 2016 – Ottawa's approval of new pipelines for transporting Western Canada's oil to new foreign markets is good news for the Canadian economy, says the MEI. However, it is worrisome to see the federal government ask the National Energy Board (NEB) to reject the Northern Gateway pipeline project.

Montreal, November 24, 2016 – With today’s launch of its new mobile phone application, available free of charge at the App Store, the MEI is taking the next step in disseminating its content online. This new tool provides the general public with fast and easy access to the content generated by the MEI. In addition to our Quebec Debt Clock, users can consult our publications, press releases, opinion pieces, blog posts, and media interviews.

Montreal, November 8, 2016 – The scandal surrounding the electronic surveillance of several journalists in Quebec shines a light on a troubling reality. The phenomenon of police surveillance does not only affect members of the media, but threatens the privacy of everyone, as shown in an Economic Note published today by the MEI.

Montreal, November 4, 2016 – While governments continue to focus on assistance programs and subsidies, it is economic freedom that is essential to business creation, as shown in a Research Paper published today by the MEI based on an extensive scientific literature.

Montreal, October 31, 2016 – Whereas Ottawa is preparing to plunge even deeper into deficit than expected, it is a mistake to think that because of currently low interest rates, the government should borrow more. Those who make this argument forget that interest charges are not the only cost associated with a deficit, as shown in a Viewpoint published today by the MEI.

Montreal, October 27, 2016 – On October 31, at the Forum Innovation Bois, the Quebec government will announce recommendations, probably accompanied by new programs, for encouraging innovation and investment in the forestry sector. Yet it is the government itself that is in large part responsible for the lack of investment in this industry and should review its practices before announcing new measures, argues a Research Paper published today by the MEI.