Article published exclusively on the Montreal Economic Institute’s website.

The workers’ freedom of choice in Quebec and abroad.

The workers’ freedom of choice in Quebec and abroad.

The members of the National Assembly will soon begin looking into a bill aiming to account for the new reality of teleworking by modifying those provisions of the Labour Code dealing with replacement workers during a strike or lockout. In North America, only the labour codes of Quebec and British Columbia systematically prevent recourse to replacement workers during labour disputes. Quebec therefore already distinguishes itself from the continent's other regions by the very existence of these provisions.

Unions and the Labour Code.

Governments have made considerable efforts in recent years to reduce the tax burden of business. The federal government has promised to reduce the corporate income tax rate even further, toward a rate of 15% in 2012. The Quebec government's last budget highlighted the complete elimination of the capital tax, which will take effect on January 1st, 2011. This is very good news, because corporate income taxes and other taxes paid by businesses have an impact not only or even primarily on shareholders, but also on workers, especially in an open economy.

Léger Marketing poll commissioned by the Montreal Economic Institute.

Public sector negotiations.

The pension plan crisis caused by the aging of the population is affecting all western countries, with Quebec especially hard hit by this phenomenon. The long-term financing of the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) is a cause of concern, and experts say changes are needed to ensure its viability. As in the past, a new rise in contributions is being suggested to balance the program’s reserve. Other countries have had to reform their public pension systems in recent decades. One of them – Chile – has stood out because of its success and has inspired about 30 other governments. Can Quebec also learn something from their experience?

The effects of the increase in the minimum wage.