The numbers are in: Canada’s annual inflation for 2021 was 4.8%, the highest rate since 1991. Even excluding gasoline from the calculation, inflation is 4%, which is double the Bank of Canada’s current target of 2%.

Quebec workers deserve better than temporary and ill-advised aid that will hurt our entrepreneurs who are struggling just to keep their heads above water.

Vendredi dernier, nous apprenions que le salaire minimum au Québec passera de 13,50 $ à 14,25 $. Il s’agit d’une croissance fort décevante pour les organisations qui, comme la FTQ d’ailleurs, revendiquent plutôt une hausse draconienne à 18 $/h.

Following Minister Jean Boulet’s announcement that the minimum wage in Quebec will go from $13.50 to $14.25 an hour, certain community groups and unions suggested that this was a missed opportunity to raise it to $18 an hour. The authors of this publication conclude that even though a hike to $18 an hour may seem beneficial for low-income workers, this steep 33% increase would have negative consequences on the financial health of a range of companies in the retail, food services, and accommodation sectors. They even maintain that many workers in these sectors could lose their jobs.

Montreal, January 12, 2022 – Following the Legault government’s announcement regarding the possible introduction of an additional health tax for unvaccinated individuals, Miguel Ouellette, Director of Operations and Economist at the MEI, had some thoughts on the matter.

Le système de retraite partiellement capitalisé du Québec mérite que l’on s’y attarde et que l’on en tire des leçons.

When the government constantly prints money to finance its exorbitant spending, the inflation that results affects us all. It’s simple: More money in circulation chasing the same quantity of goods and services leads to rising prices. Inflation is nothing less than a hidden tax. Isn’t it time to think seriously about this problem?

The government needs to address the structural deficit in order to reduce the debt burden, for the sake of our children, and their children. It’s a question of intergenerational equity.

Le gouvernement doit s’attaquer au déficit structurel de manière à alléger le fardeau de la dette pour les prochaines générations. Il en va de l’équité intergénérationnelle.

Montreal, November 25, 2021 – Following the tabling of the economic update by Finance Minister Éric Girard, two economists from the Montreal Economic Institute had some thoughts on the matter.