CIRANO researchers contribute to La Presse’s special feature on advancing Québec’s welfare state

La Presse recently released a special feature titled “35 Ideas to Move Québec Forward”, written by Stéphanie Grammond and Marie-Ève Fournier. The project examines ways to optimize Québec’s welfare state and adapt public policies to current economic and social challenges.

The initiative brought together six experts from various fields for a roundtable discussion, including three CIRANO researchers: Luc Godbout, Louis Lévesque, and Pierre-Olivier Pineau.

Louis Lévesque (CIRANO Invited Fellow) suggested that the Québec government introduce a separate budget dedicated to infrastructure repair, supported by independent experts, to clearly assess the scale of the challenge and prevent the proliferation of costly new projects.

Pierre-Olivier Pineau (CIRANO Researcher and Fellow, HEC Montréal Professor) proposed revising residential electricity pricing, noting that low hydroelectric rates mainly benefit higher-income households. He recommends a baseline consumption block at the current rate, with higher rates applied beyond that level to reflect the real cost of developing new energy facilities.

Luc Godbout (CIRANO Researcher and Fellow, Université de Sherbrooke Professor) called for a modernization of road financing, suggesting that the existing fuel tax be replaced by a distance-based road pricing system that varies by time and region to reduce congestion and account for local conditions.

The feature also includes contributions from other CIRANO researchers among the 35 proposals:

Catherine Haeck (CIRANO Researcher and Fellow, UQAM Professor) advocates refocusing Québec’s education system to reduce overload among students and provide better support for high-potential learners.

Pierre-Carl Michaud (CIRANO Researcher and Fellow, HEC Montréal Professor) proposes the creation of an autonomy allowance for seniors, consolidating existing tax measures to better finance essential care and services related to aging.

Together, these contributions highlight CIRANO’s continued commitment to supporting public decision-making through research, fostering policies that promote sustainable and equitable development across Québec.

To read the full article published by La Presse, click here