Subsidize parents instead
In order to increase access to daycare services, the Quebec government recently announced the creation of 14,000 new subsidized daycare spaces over the next two years. But with 51,000 children on the waiting list for subsidized child care, there is not a single space available. And despite the government's good intentions, even this modest increase…
Economic benefits crucial to the Newfoundland and Labrador economy
With the market prices of hydrocarbons soaring, accelerated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the federal government is once again extending the deadline for making a decision about the future of the Bay du Nord project off the shore of Newfoundland. Division within the Prime Minister’s Office on this project is certainly one of the…
It’s time to tackle the inflation that is undermining our living standards
By Miguel Ouellette and Olivier Rancourt Montreal Economic Institute Despite the recommendations of many economists to raise the target for the overnight rate, the Bank of Canada has decided to maintain the status quo – at least for now. Like these experts, we believe that the central bank must begin gradually raising rates at its…
Comment the mark of an extremist with little interest in human safety
In mid-November, prominent environmental activist David Suzuki made some remarks that any impartial observer would consider radical. This was during an event hosted by an organization that is not known for its measured responses: Extinction Rebellion. Suzuki’s message was clear: “there are going to be pipelines blown up if our leaders don’t pay attention to…
Quebec turning itself into an object of international ridicule
Just as the world is suffering through a natural gas shortage and prices are soaring, Quebec is thumbing its nose at the chance to become a leader when it comes to locally produced energy. Against all economic and even environmental logic, the Quebec government recently decided to definitively ban fossil fuel exploration and development in…
Governments have to stop giving in to populist pressures
Now that the federal election is over, several financial sector experts and economists are turning their attention to the Trudeau government’s promise to raise the corporate income tax rate for banks and insurance companies from 15 per cent to 18 per cent. But while attacking these financial giants can pay off politically, the fact is…
Policies should be fair for all Canadians, regardless of where they happen to live
By Miguel Ouellette Olivier Rancourt and Krystle Wittevrongel Montreal Economic Institute Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions is one of the big concerns of our age. The numerous diverging interests pitted against each other on this issue make it a real puzzler for policy-makers, though. After many years of public policies aimed at reducing GHGs, layered…
MacKenzie Scott's fuzzy criticisms of capitalism
By Bradley Doucet and Miguel Ouellette Montreal Economic Institute Allow us to join in the chorus of praise for the charitable giving of MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who announced last month that she had given away another $2,739,000,000 to 286 organizations. Private philanthropy is part of what makes the world…
Why are we biting the hand that saved us?
For some people, no good deed deserves to be rewarded – at least not by making a profit, which they treat as if it were a dirty word. Even saving millions of lives, as pharmaceutical companies have undoubtedly done by delivering safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to market in record time, is no excuse for…
Another step toward irresponsible indebtedness
By Miquel Ouellette and Maria Lily Shaw MEI The recent budget presented by the Liberal government of Justin Trudeau – its first in over two years – is another step toward irresponsible indebtedness that will burden an entire generation of Canadians, if not more. On top of the hundred billion dollars of new spending, the…