1-minute read
The Financing and Transparency of Unions
Union organizations are private organizations, but their financing relies on an indirect power to tax known as the Rand formula. They also enjoy various tax breaks, like a tax credit for union dues, a tax exemption for strike pay as well as tax credits for contributions to labour-sponsored funds. Despite these quasi-public financing prerogatives, Quebec union organizations generally do not exhibit financial transparency and have very few obligations in this regard.
3-minute read
It’s Time For Unions to Pay Their Dues
The special privileges enjoyed by unions.
3-minute read
Harcèlement alimentaire
Taxing junk food to prevent and fight obesity.
1-minute read
Viewpoint on the pharmaceutical industry’s promotional spending
The promotional activities of pharmaceutical companies are regularly the target of criticism. Certain commentators imply that these businesses as a group devote too many resources to the promotion of their products, at the expense of their investments in research and development (R&D). Others maintain that these promotional activities alter the prescribing habits of doctors, which leads to a needless or even harmful rise in the consumption of drugs. Do these criticisms stand up to scrutiny?
3-minute read
Want to Slash Red Tape? Invent a Government Organization! (No, Really.)
The administrative burden of running a business.
24-minute read
Questions et réponses sur la crise financière(1)
Op-ed published exclusively on the Montreal Economic Institute's website.
5-minute read
Will a Junk Food Tax Work in Canada?
Obesity: A new tax won't change our eating habits.
3-minute read
Éteindre l’étincelle
Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO.
3-minute read
Gagner au change
The "national question" is back in the news.
1-minute read
Plain Packaging and its Unintended Consequences
This Economic Note is the second in a series on the growing tendency of governments around the world to regulate the advertising industry more and more strictly. Whether in the name of consumer protection or health concerns, decision makers prefer to attack advertising for products deemed harmful rather than prohibiting them directly.