ANNUAL REPORT 2006 THE MONTREAL ECONOMIC INSTITUTE (MEI) IS AN INDEPENDENT, NON-PROFIT, NON-PARTISAN ECONOMIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

THE MEI PARTICIPATES IN DEBATES ON QUEBEC AND CANADIAN PUBLIC POLICY BY PROVIDING WEALTH-GENERATING SOLUTIONS, PRIMARILY IN AREAS OF TAXATION, REGULATION, HEALTH AND EDUCATION REFORM.

OFFICERS STAFF (on December 31, 2006) (on December 31, 2006)

ADRIEN D. POULIOT PAUL DANIEL MULLER Chairman of the Board President NATHALIE ELGRABLY RICHARD CARTER Economist Vice Chairman of the Board JASMIN GUÉNETTE ÉRIC BOYKO Director of Public Affairs STÉPHAN D. CRÉTIER NORMA KOZHAYA HÉLÈNE DESMARAIS Economist DANIEL DOREY MARTIN MASSE MARCEL DUTIL, C.M. Director of Research and Publications DR LÉO-PAUL LANDRY JENI DIMITROVA, Accounting Assistant NORMAND LEBEAU FRANCIS DUMOUCHEL, Research and Publications Assistant RONALD MONET LAURETTE DUPONT, Communications and Events Assistant PAUL DANIEL MULLER GILLES GUÉNETTE, Webmaster JEAN-PIERRE OUELLET AVI SOKOLOVA, Executive Assistant YVES RABEAU Board Members

Montreal Economic Institute 6708 Saint-Hubert Montreal, Quebec H2S 2M6

Phone u (514) 273-0969 E-mail u [email protected]

Fax u (514) 273-2581 Web u www.iedm.org

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

ith barely seven reflections on public policy. The years under the belt documentary film The Quiet Illusion of the Montreal takes up some of the themes po- Economic Institute, pularized by the Institute. The film has its collaborators raised a stir in Wand partners have every reason to be Quebec by pointing proud of the place it has carved out in to the deeper causes the domain of Quebec public affairs. of our social and It’s as if we had been around for economic malaise – decades! causes such as a culture of acquired This can be explained by the fact that rights, government the MEI has focused on topics pivotal and union mono- to people’s lives in Quebec: health polies, and ideolo- care, education, tax matters, and gical currents that regulations that hinder wealth creation. provide a cover for We have instilled a strong set of values corporatist interests. throughout the organization, with its success depending on the credibility it This was a year of earns. Intellectual rigour and pro- transition in the fessionalism have been present every Institute’s manage- inch of the way. ment ranks with the ADRIEN departure of Michel Kelly-Gagnon, our POULIOT That is the role of a think tank like the former president. We were sorry to see Montreal Economic Institute: pro- him leave but can take pride in viding our fellow citizens with watching him pollinate another economic analyses that are both solid organization, as occurred in 2005 with and accessible, dealing with central Maxime Bernier, now the federal issues of public policy. The more minister of Industry. The MEI has clearly a broad populace understands continued to progress during this busy the economic stakes involved in issues year as the message from our new of public debate, the greater the president makes clear. I wish to salute likelihood that Quebec’s leaders will our employees’ passion and commit- adopt rational policies. ment along with our donors’ patience and wisdom. This has helped smooth Our slogan “ideas for a more prospe- the transition to new management. rous nation” expresses our mission clearly. Our ideas help others in their

annual report 2006 1 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

I welcome the new president, Paul to express loudly and clearly what they Daniel Muller, who took up his duties have believed to be true without in September after serving as an fearing a call to arms from those who associate researcher at the Institute felt under attack in their privileges, since 2003. The board of directors has monopolies or corporatist benefits. I chosen an economist who blends wish to thank these researchers, along inside experience in public policy with with my board colleagues and the practice in public affairs consulting. many donors who have supported us Paul is convinced that Quebec needs, over the years. more than ever, a spearhead like the Institute to shake up accepted ideas. While other organizations pretend to contribute to pluralism while relying After seven years chairing the board of on government financing, the MEI has directors, the time has come for me to grown thanks to voluntary assistance pass the torch. Hélène Desmarais from hundreds of private foundations, became chairman of our board in businesses and individuals. In this March 2007. Hélène, an experienced regard it is truly independent. If you leader, is as convinced as I am that we are not yet among those supporting need new ideas to enable Quebec to one of the most influential think tanks move forward. I pass the reins to her in Canada and in the French-speaking with great confidence. world, I hope the achievements laid out in this report will convince you of My position as chairman has been the need to join in! among the most enriching experiences of my career. It will remain a huge source of pride. The Institute’s success derives from the fact that its re- Adrien D. Pouliot searchers have always had the courage Chairman of the Board

When I addressed the Montreal Economic “ Institute in November, they assembled some of the top business and political leaders not just of Montreal, but of Canada. I was impressed by the range and authority of those they work with.

- Madsen Pirie, President, Adam Smith Institute (United Kingdom)”

2 annual report 2006 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

he Montreal Economic geographic range and quality. Some of Institute aims through edu- our publications have had an effect cational work to enhance across Canada. More than 130 opi- the general public’s under- nion pieces signed by our researchers standing of economic were published in daily papers and Tphenomena. We promote the adoption specialized magazines. We have had a of public policies motivated by eco- regular presence, more nomic logic with a focus on wealth than once a month, in creation. Canada-wide newspapers such as the National Post. The effectiveness of a think tank such Institute representatives as the MEI can be assessed by means signed more than 15 co- of three criteria. First, by seeing to lumns in the weekly what extent it reaches the public, business paper Les Affaires. especially via the media. Second, by gauging the resonance created by its With the publication of ideas. Are its arguments being taken her book La face cachée des up elsewhere? Is its work being quoted? politiques publiques (The Are its researchers invited to speak at Hidden Face of Public other forums? Third (and this is the Policy), our economist most demanding criterion), by seeing Nathalie Elgrably became how far public policy is really changing a true media phenome- in the direction of ideas advanced by non. She continues her its researchers. By each of these three weekly column on public criteria, the MEI is truly an effective policy issues each Thursday think tank. in Le Journal de Montréal, PAUL DANIEL Quebec’s most widely read newspaper, MULLER GROWTH IN as well as in Le Journal de Québec in THE DISSEMINATION OF IDEAS Quebec City. She is invited on a regular basis to give her opinion on public affairs programs produced by various The Institute has again benefited from broadcasters. Few think tanks anyw- broad media coverage. Some 1,623 here in the world are able to reach the articles and news reports mentioned general public as directly and regularly the Institute in 2006, compared to through major channels such as these. 1,350 a year earlier. This is a 20% rise. We should also point out that the MEI With close to a million unique visitors in achieved another distinction in 2006: 2005-06, nearly triple the number in the Le Trente magazine, published by previous period, our bilingual website is Quebec’s federation of professional reaching an impressive audience in journalists, spitefully ranked it among Quebec and around the world. the five most overexposed sources in Quebec. Our media visibility is extensive, not only in its magnitude but also in its

annual report 2006 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF OPINION PIECES PUBLISHED BY THE MEI IN NEWSPAPERS AND INFLUENTIAL PUBLICATIONS MAGAZINES 140 The year 2006 marked a major step in 120 131 questioning the famous “Quebec 100 model”. The Institute contributed to 105 this ideological renewal by informing 80 the public of Quebec’s true economic 60 60 situation and the wealth-creating 57 48 policies it could adopt. 40 41 20 21 Among our contributions, we can point 0 to a study by our economist Norma 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Khozaya on Quebec’s relative poverty in North America. Her Economic Note on this topic nourished doubts regard- ing the notion that Quebec is more competitive because of its suburban egalitarian than its neighbours. The development. This study enabled us central argument in this study was taken later to intervene in favour of a project up by numerous observers, including to extend Highway 25. columnist Alain Dubuc in La Presse. In the area of social policy, another Our propensity to challenge Economic Note signed by Norma commonly accepted ideas also Khozaya dealt with the Quebec system brought us into the field of transport of subsidized childcare, supposedly and housing in the Montreal metropo- more universal and equitable than the litan area. A Research Paper prepared previous system of parental assis- by our associate researcher Wendell tance. Our study showed that, on the Cox concluded that Montreal is more contrary, the current system is becoming increasingly expensive and GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF NEWS STORIES COVERING MEI'S WORK IN PRINT, BROADCAST heavily restrains the options available AND INTERNET MEDIA to thousands of families. The alterna-

1800 3

2 tive approach suggested in this Note 6 1600 1 has been adopted by one of the three

8 main political parties on the provincial 4 1400 3 1 scene. 1200 In September, a study signed by 1000 former executive vice-president Tasha 8 8 7 7

800 5 Kheiriddin examined the Quebec 6 7 1

6 government’s efforts to lighten taxes 600 4

3 and the burden of government. The 400 4 study found that little had been 3

8 achieved compared to the govern-

200 1 ment’s initial promises, and it 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 4 annual report 2006 GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF WEBSITE VISITORS 5.5 5.0 9

4.5 9 8

indispensable reference tool for “The Institute [...] is a refreshing 7

4.0 1 change from most Quebec outfits 0 parents seeking to be knowledgeable

5 s 3.5 in the choice of their children’s school that usually contribute new and n

o exotic ways of getting more of i 7 or showing interest in the quality of l 3.0 5 l

0 Albertans’ tax money to spend...” i education provided. This exercise also 6 m The Edmonton Sun

2.5 9

9 helps establish a culture of choice and

7 (Business Magazine), 1

2.0 2

3 responsibility in Quebec. 7

Neil Waugh, 15 janvier 2006 4 9 0

1.5 2 5 0 4

2 9

1 In addition to these 9 5

1.0 3 8

5 6 dossiers, 14 other “...the Montreal Economic

7

0.5 3 3 5 publications, not Institute...[is]...still a modest 1 0 counting transla- organization, with 10 employees 2001-2002 2003-2004 2005-2006 tions, marked a and a budget of just over $1 million. Yet, on some issues, its NUMBER OF UNIQUE VISITORS very productive year in fields including influence has been NUMBER OF WEB PAGE DOWNLOADS disproportionate.” the debt, subsidies The Gazette, Peter Hadekel, to business, mana- 15 septembre 2006 generated extensive media coverage. gement of automo- The study’s conclusions were hotly bile insurance and challenged by the premier and two flexibility of the labour market. They are “The MEI, founded in 1999 and other government ministers, until a all listed in this report and can be with a current annual budget of number of columnists, downloaded free of charge from our about $1.5-million, has emerged including Alain Dubuc website. as the prime intellectual well for and Claude Picher of La the Lucidistes and their ilk.” Presse, said the author Finally, let us note that our 2005 study The Globe and Mail, Konrad Yakabuski, was correct. on privatization of the Société des 20 septembre 2006 alcools du Québec kept the ink As it has done each flowing in 2006. A number of edi- year since 2000, the torialists and columnists praised the « J’ai eu le plaisir d’être convié à Institute issued its study’s quality and relevance. This un dîner organisé par l’Institut annual Report Card on shows unmistakably that we can (...) un centre d’études et de Quebec’s Secondary influence various areas of debate and recherche non partisan. J’appuie FRIEDRICH A. HAYEK, ENNEMI Schools in collabora- public opinion when we rely on le travail de l’Institut, surtout en DE LA SERVITUDE tion with the Fraser rigorous, well documented research. ce qui a trait au secteur des soins PUBLISHED BY THE MEI ON de santé. (Le conférencier) a st Institute, with 2006 SEPTEMBER 1 , 2006, 71 P., abordé une variété de sujets dont INTRODUCTION BY BRIAN LEE marking the seventh PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE: l’économie de la Chine, les CROWLEY, PRESIDENT OF THE edition. Thanks to our ATLANTIC INSTITUTE FOR THE INSTITUTE HAS HELPED GET théories de Margaret Thatcher et MARKET STUDIES media partnership with REFORM STARTED de Ronald Reagan en matière de L’Actualité magazine, it développement économique ainsi reached more than a que l’influence que Milton million parents, students and people The MEI has aimed since 2001 to Friedman a eue sur sa façon in the education field. Reporting by inform the public on the limits of our de penser. » journalists with L’Actualité helped bring monopoly system and to propose Joseph Iannicelli, président et the Report Card’s raw numbers to life. alternatives that rely on market chef de la direction, Standard Life This publication has become an mechanisms. In 2006, in the wake of du Canada, 16 novembre 2006

annual report 2006 5 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

the Supreme Court ruling in the Chaoulli case, the Quebec government introduced Bill 33 eliminating the government health insurance mono- poly with respect to three surgical procedures.

In preparation for the bill, the Institute published in 2006 an Economic Note NATHALIE ELGRABLY, on a model that the Supreme Court PASCAL SALIN, PROFESSOR AT UNIVERSITÉ MEI ECONOMIST, AT THE LAUNCH OF ruling anticipated, namely duplicate PARIS-DAUPHINE, AND ADRIEN POULIOT, HER BOOK LA FACE CACHÉE DES CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE MEI, AT A POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES, insurance covering all health care. We CONFERENCE ON TAX COMPETITION, ON APRIL 4, 2006 then presented a brief to the National ON DECEMBER 5, 2006 Assembly showing the advantages of establishing a regulatory framework that would eliminate Quebec’s public health insurance monopoly and NOTEWORTHY EVENTS enable Quebecers to benefit fully from the development of new private AND DEBATES insurance. In 2006, the Montreal Economic In October, the MEI ordered its third Institute organized nine events cross-Canada opinion poll on Cana- enabling members of the public to dian attitudes toward the private hear and meet opinion leaders. This CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF THE sector in health care. This poll included a talk by Claude Ruey, leader PRIVATESECTORINHEALTHCARE DELIVERY, WITH CLAUDE RUEY, revealed that two people out of three of the Swiss Liberal Party, who spoke PRESIDENT OF THE SWISS LIBERAL in Quebec would favour the Quebec of his country’s health care system PARTY, ON MAY 18, 2006 government opening access to private before more than 200 persons. This health insurance for all medically speech provided a clearer under- required care already covered by the standing of the private sector’s public system. These polls are an potential role in financing the health effective complement to our studies in care system and providing services. raising the interest of media and decision-makers. Another noteworthy speech was given by Len Shackleton, dean of the Through its actions on this issue over Westminster Business School, on the years, the MEI is proud to have reforms undertaken in Britain by contributed to Quebec adopting an Margaret Thatcher, the decline of initial reform curtailing the public unions and the surge of the British CONFERENCE BY WENDELL COX, monopoly on health insurance. economy. The Thatcher period was VISITING PROFESSOR AT THE also the topic of a speech by Madsen CONSERVATOIRE NATIONAL DES ARTS ET MÉTIERS DE PARIS, ON THE Pirie, president of the Adam Smith COMPETITIVENESS OF THE MONTREAL Institute of the U.K., at a dinner at METROPOLITAN AREA, Toronto’s Empire Club. ON JUNE 20, 2006

6 annual report 2006 In December 2006, for the second surplus of $108,767. Our accu- time, the Institute held the Jean A. mulated surplus stands at $830,545, Pouliot lecture, named after one of a modest amount though still our earliest supporters and sponsored adequate to ensure our stability and by his family. Pascal Salin, professor of independence. This financial indepen- economics at Université Paris- dence enables the Institute to speak Dauphine and former president of the out freely on any issue of public policy. Mont Pelerin Society, spoke eloquently In this way it serves the greatest of tax competition at the international numbers of people, namely consumers level. and taxpayers.

The MEI is also increasingly present in Continued support from our donors, specialized fields. We held 13 events sponsors and subscribers to our for students, the opinion leaders of publications is, of course, essential to tomorrow. Our researchers also gave the Institute’s existence and progress. 31 talks in events organized by third We offer warm thanks to these people parties such as the Association of and entities, and we urge them to Apartment Owners of Greater renew their support in 2007. The Montreal. Institute also has the good fortune to count on a highly professional and A SOUND FINANCIAL SITUATION motivated staff whose commitment we are pleased to salute. The MEI is financed entirely through donations from individuals, businesses and foundations, through the sale of its publications, and $ MEI'S REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES through sponsorships and entry fees 1 600 000 to events it holds. To maintain its REVENUES

1 400 000 3 3 7 9 independence, the MEI does not EXPENDITURES 2 3 8 9 0

1 200 000 0 7 0 4

receive or solicit public funds and 9 4 8 1 2 1 6 1 1 7 3 2 seeks to diversify its sources of 1 000 000 2 8 9 3 1 8 9 6 1 5

financing. 1 1 4 8 800 000 1 8 9 0 1 1 7 1 5 0 5 9 3 600 000 2 0 8 4 In 2006, our financial situation has 1 1 0 8 5 5 1 5 1 7 7 9 7 8 3 3 7 remained healthy. Income came to 0 0

400 000 3 1 8 9 6 7 8 5 6 5 0 9 $1,271,979, down 10% from the 6 9 2 2 4 200 000 3 9 4 8

previous year in a context of transition 2 8 0 7 2 between the former and new pre- 0 2 sidents. Spending also declined, falling 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 to $1,163,212, down 17% from 2005. The 2006 fiscal year ended with a

annual report 2006 7 MEI PUBLICATIONS IN 2006

January – Reforming dairy supply June – Rebalanced and October – 7$-a-day childcare: management in Canada: the Revitalized – A Canada Are parents getting what they need? Australian example Strong and Free Economic Note on the perverse Economic Note on the supply Third part of a discussion paper effects of a subsidized childcare management system in by Mike Harris and Preston system Canada’s dairy industry Manning on federal government policies October – Report Card on March – Contributions à Quebec’s Secondary Schools l’assurance automobile: le prix de la June – Are business subsidies (2006 Edition) procrastination efficient? Annual evaluation of the Le Point de l’IEDM on the Société Economic Note on the performance of Quebec’s high de l’assurance automobile du economic effects of business schools Québec’s financial woes subsidies November – Building Prosperity March – Choosing a regulatory June – Housing and Transportation in a Canada Strong and Free framework for private health in Montreal: How suburbanization Fourth part of a discussion insurance is improving the region’s paper by Mike Harris and Economic Note on the best way competitiveness Preston Manning on federal to regulate private health Research Paper on the impact government policies insurance of suburbanization on a metropolitan area’s November – How to make March – Avant de rembourser competitiveness the Canadian airline industry la dette, le gouvernement doit more competitive baisser les impôts June – Canada and the Economic Note on the negative Le Point de l’IEDM on the impact liberalization of air transport effects the tax load has on the of a personal income tax markets over the Atlantic Canadian airline industry reduction on government’s MEI’s Flashpoint on the budgetary revenues liberalization of air transport December – Friedrich A. Hayek, markets ennemi de la servitude April – La face cachée French condensed version of the des politiques publiques September – Liste exhaustive book The Road to Serfdom (1944) Book that examines various des impôts payés par les by Friedrich A. Hayek fallacies seen in public policy contribuables québécois A list of most taxes paid by December – The minimum wage April – The pernicious effects of Quebec taxpayers and labour market flexibility price controls Economic Note on the impact Economic Note on the effects September – Taxation and the Role of institutional constraints on of controls such as floor prices of the State: A Report Card on the the labour market and ceiling prices Charest Government Economic Note on the Charest May – Quebec’s Relative Poverty government’s economic Economic Note on the living achievements since it was standards of people in Quebec elected compared to the rest of North America

8 annual report 2006 EVENTS ORGANIZED BY THE MEI IN 2006

February 4 – Annual MEI / September 25 – From Thatcher to Blair: Fraser Institute Student Seminar How the Decline of Unions Unleashed Seminar on public policy organized British Economic Growth for CEGEP and university students Conference with Len Shackleton, dean of the Westminster Business February 23 – Reforming Dairy Supply School in collaboration with the Management in Canada Canadian LabourWatch Association Luncheon speech and round table and the McGill North American discussion with Valentin Petkantchin, Studies program MEI Director of Research November 1 – Suburbanization and March 9 – Recognizing the Courts’ Automobile Use: Myths and Realities Influence on Public Policy Conference with Martin Masse, MEI Luncheon speech with John Carpay, Director of Research and Executive Director of the Canadian Publications, at Concordia University Constitution Foundation December 5 – Jean A. Pouliot April 4 – La face cachée Lecture Series des politiques publiques Second edition of the Jean A. Pouliot Launching of the book La face cachée Lecture Series with Pascal Salin, des politiques publiques (The Hidden Side professor of economics at Université of Public Policy) by Nathalie Elgrably, Paris-Dauphine MEI Economist

May 18 – The Swiss Health Care System: A Model for Quebec Luncheon speech with Claude Ruey, president of the Liberal Party of Switzerland

June 20 – Housing & Transportation in Montreal: How Suburbanization is Improving the Region’s Competitiveness Luncheon speech with Wendell Cox, independent consultant and visiting professor at the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers in Paris

annual report 2006 9 EVENTS IN WHICH MEI RESEARCHERS PARTICIPATED IN 2006

January 25 – Private Health Insurance: May 3 – Is Government Control of the Threat or Opportunity? Liquor Trade Still Justified? Presentation by Michel Kelly-Gagnon, Debate held at CEGEP Édouard- MEI President, as part of a conference Montpetit between Nathalie Elgrably, organized by Insight Information in MEI Economist, and Éric Brunet, pre- collaboration with the MEI sident of the SAQ’s store and office employees’ union January 26 – Privatization of Health Care Presentation by Valentin Petkantchin, May 7 – Is Bigger Really Better? MEI Director of Research, at a lunch- Lessons from Municipal Amalgamation debate organized by the Chaire in Quebec and Ontario publique de l’Université Laval Presentation by Tasha Kheiriddin, MEI Vice President, at the Civitas annual February 28 – Is Our Health Care national conference in Ottawa System in Peril? Participation by Valentin Petkantchin, May 27 – For Lucidity or Solidarity MEI Research Director, at a round table in Quebec? discussion held at Concordia University’s Presentation by Norma Kozhaya, MEI School of Community and Public Affairs Economist, as part of the Quebec Liberal Party Youth Commission’s March 17 – Mises Institute’s Austrian Scholars Youth Delegate Assembly held in Conference 2006 (Auburn, Alabama) Chertsey, Québec Two employees of the MEI, Martin Masse, Director of Publications, and June 3 – Private vs. Public Health Valentin Petkantchin, Director of Care Delivery Research, took part in this event thanks Panel with, among others, Dr. J. Edwin to a generous grant from the Lotte & Coffey, MEI Senior Fellow, as part of John Hecht Memorial Foundation Sustaining Health and Healthcare - Bold New Horizons, a conference held in March 23 – New Strategies for the Toronto by the Coalition of Family Financing and Delivery of Medical, Hospital Physicians of Ontario and Pharmaceutical Services (Post-Chaoulli) Presentation by Edwin Coffey MD, June 30 – A Canadian Observer’s View of MEI Senior Fellow, at the National the North American Air Transport Industry Pharmaceutical Strategy Symposium Presentation by Pierre Jeanniot, former held in Ottawa. president and CEO of Air Canada, director general emeritus of the IATA April 19 – The Welfare State and Quebec’s and MEI Senior Fellow, as part of the Relative Poverty Global Air Transport Outlook Presentation by MEI Economist Norma Conference held in Montreal by the Kozhaya as part of the Alliance International Civil Aviation culturelle’s Rendez-vous du mercredi Organization (ICAO) and Airports April 29 – Can the Private Sector Be A Council International (ACI) Solution to Problems of Accessibility of Health Care Services? Debate with, among others, Norma Kozhaya, MEI Economist, as part of the annual convention of the Quebec Medical Association held in Montreal 10 annual report 2006 August 5 – Reforming the Taxation September 19 – Performance Rating in System in Quebec Health Care Presentation by Tasha Kheiriddin, MEI Presentation by Norma Kozhaya, MEI Vice President, as part of the Quebec Economist, as part of a conference by Liberal Party Youth Commission’s Insight Information, in Montreal assembly held in St-Augustin-de- September 25 – Public Transit and Desmaures, near Quebec City Automobile Use: How is Quebec City August 17 – Economic Prosperity Performing? According to Conservative Thinkers Participation of Martin Masse, MEI Presentation by Tasha Kheiriddin, Director of Research and Publications, MEI Vice President, as part of the to a panel organised by Univert Laval summer school of the Institut du at Université Laval, in Quebec City Nouveau Monde, at Université du September 27 – The Hidden Side of Québec à Montréal Public Policy August 30 – Hayek’s The Road to Serfdom Presentation by Nathalie Elgrably, Presentation by Jasmin Guénette, MEI MEI Economist, at a luncheon held Director of Public Affairs, of a French by the Jeune chambre de commerce condensed version of the book The de Québec Road to Serfdom (1944) by F.A. Hayek September 28 – Tuition Freeze in Quebec as part of the 29th Université d’Été Universities de la Nouvelle économie, at Aix-en- Presentation by Norma Kozhaya, MEI Provence in France Economist, as part of a debate orga- September 12 – Unfreezing Tuition Fees nized at Université Laval, in Quebec City in Quebec Universities? October 11 – Hayek’s The Road to Serfdom Presentation by Norma Kozhaya, MEI Presentation by Jacques Garello, Economist, at the Université de professor at the Université d’Aix Sherbrooke organized by the Marseille III, of a French condensed university’s student federation version of the book The Road to September 16 – Imposing Fees on Water Serfdom (1944) by F.A. Hayek as part Consumption of a conference held at the Assemblée Presentation by Nathalie Elgrably, MEI Nationale in Paris Economist, as part of the Festival October 21 – Public Administration in Écolo de Montreal, at La Petite Marche Quebec September 19 – Rent-Control: The Most Participation of Nathalie Elgrably, Efficient Technique to Destroy a City, MEI Economist, to a round table Except for Bombing! discussion as part of the Quebec Presentation by Nathalie Elgrably, City–Chaudière-Appalaches MEI Economist, at a meeting held in symposium held by the Action Sherbrooke by the Regroupement des démocratique du Québec (ADQ) propriétaires d’habitations locatives

annual report 2006 11 PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS 2006

6 November 2 – Magical Thinking and Economic May 17 – For Real Access to Private 0 Reality Health Insurance in Quebec 0

2 Presentation of a brief by Norma Presentation by Martin Masse, MEI Director

N Kozhaya, MEI Economist, before the

I of Research and Publications, at CEGEP de Quebec National Assembly's Social

D Saint-Jérôme

E Affairs Committee as part of the T November 11 – Public and Private Financing of

A general consultation on the

P Health Care I document entitled Guaranteeing Access: C

I Participation of MEI economist Norma Meeting the Challenges of Equity, Efficiency T Kozhaya to this panel as part of the and Quality R

A “Réseauter, Innover, Ressourcer et P Échanger” regional conference held in June 15 – Ensuring an Open, Predictable S and Efficient Canadian Domestic Market R Quebec City

E that Optimizes the Productivity and

H November 11 – The Role of the Quebec Competitiveness of Canada's Economy C

R Government Presentation by Robert Knox, MEI A Presentation by Nathalie Elgrably, MEI Senior Fellow, before the Standing E

S Economist, as part of the Colloque Senate Committee on Banking, Trade E and Commerce as part of its study on

R régional Capitale Nationale held in Quebec

I City by the Quebec Liberal Party barriers to interprovincial trade E M

November 22 – The Role of Government and H Agricultural Subsidies C I Presentation by Nathalie Elgrably, MEI H Economist, before the students of the W

N McGill University Farm Management & I Technology program S T

N November 23 – Striking a Balance Between the

E Public and Private Sectors in Health Care V

E Presentation by Norma Kozhaya, MEI Economist, as part of the “Privatisation des soins de santé au Québec” conference organized by the Canadian Institute, in Montreal 2006 OPINION POLLS December 12 – Rent-Control: The Most Efficient Technique to Destroy a City, Except for FEBRUARY u Quebeckers’ Opinion on Privatizing Bombing! Retail Trade of Alcohol Presentation by Nathalie Elgrably, MEI Economist, at the annual conference of the JUNE Quebeckers’ Opinion on Business Apartment Owners Association of Greater u Subsidies Montreal December 13 – Do Greenhouse Gas Emissions OCTOBER u Canadians’ Opinion on Access to Justify Government Intervention? Health Care Presentation made by Pierre Desrochers, MEI Associate Researcher, as part of a luncheon-debate organized by the Institut économique Molinari, in Paris

12 annual report 2006