The purpose of Quebec's Occupational Health and Safety Plan is to prevent industrial accidents and occupational diseases and to compensate the victims of such hazards. Strangely, while the number of these accidents and occupational diseases is dropping, the costs of compensation continue to rise, increasing the $2.55-billion annual bill entirely paid for by employers. This program alone represents the equivalent of 65% of corporate taxes paid in Quebec.

Tax privileges for Quebec labour unions.

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.