Actuality¹⁴⁹

Trump rend l’environnement économique encore plus «incertain» que la COVID, selon la BCE

Source : Agence France Presse, March 16, 2025

Donald Trump's political actions are creating more uncertainty for the global economy than at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to European Central Bank (ECB) Vice-President Luis de Guindos. In their inflation projections, banks have to take this heightened uncertainty into account, not least due to the tariffs imposed by the United States and the reactions of their trading partners, making the economic situation highly volatile.

According to Luis de Guindos, “it seems like every day a new tax is imposed, or an announced tax is withdrawn”. A trade war would be detrimental to everyone, as it would lead to higher prices and penalize economic growth. In addition to tariffs, financial deregulation and lower taxes on corporate profits are also sources of uncertainty.

La Baie d'Hudson demande la protection contre ses créanciers

Source : La Presse, March 16 2025

Hudson's Bay, Canada's oldest company, is seeking judicial authorization to liquidate all its operations, threatening more than 9,000 jobs. After unsuccessful attempts at financing, the company is aiming for liquidation by June 15, while exploring solutions to avoid complete closure. This crisis highlights the challenges facing the retail sector in the face of changing consumer trends and economic tensions.

Nouveau rapport : la pub, «gros angle mort» de la lutte climatique

Source : Équiterre, March 13, 2025

Équiterre has published a report highlighting the links between advertising, over-consumption and the climate crisis. In 2023, advertising investment in Canada reached $21 billion, an increase of 33% since 2018. According to Équiterre, “advertising is like the gasoline that powers the engine of overconsumption. And this over-consumption is the gasoline in the engine of the climate crisis”.

The report shows that advertising encourages unsustainable consumption, and that its influence on consumer habits is often underestimated. Équiterre proposes amending the Consumer Protection Act to prohibit messages encouraging over-consumption and to require products to display their environmental footprint. The advertising industry is invited to use its influence to promote sustainable alternatives.

L’échec politique d’un environnementaliste engagé

Source : Le Devoir, March 14, 2025

By abolishing the carbon tax as an electoral strategy, Mark Carney provoked the departure of Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, known for his environmental convictions. According to some analysts, this reflects recurring criticism of government commitments to the environment: “These are rather placed in a position of submission, particularly in the face of economic interests.”

Le gouvernement du Canada encadre les « polluants éternels »

Source : Radio-Canada, March 16, 2025

The Canadian government is preparing to regulate PFASs, persistent toxic substances found in groundwater and sewage sludge, by 2027. A new maximum threshold will be imposed from November 2025 to limit their presence in agriculture. This initiative marks a step towards greater environmental protection and a more responsible socio-ecological transition.

Québec paiera de la formation aux entreprises

Source : La Presse, March 12, 2025

The Quebec government has announced assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to diversify their markets, in response to the tariff war. The measure includes funding for employee training, which will cover up to 75% of costs, particularly for subjects such as international logistics and trade agreements. SMEs with between 5 and 199 employees are eligible, and must submit their applications via Services Québec.

According to Employment Minister Kateri Champagne Jourdain, “this is a measure aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. What we often hear in the field is that these companies don't necessarily have the knowledge or skills to enter new markets”. This initiative aims to support up to 750 companies.

Une fin abrupte pour les bourses Perspective

Source : Le Devoir, March 15, 2025

Having prematurely terminated the Perspective bursary program, Quebec will have to find other ways of attracting students to labour-shortage sectors such as health and education. Students already enrolled will continue to receive their bursaries until the end of their studies. According to Marie Montpetit, President and CEO of the Fédération des cégeps, “the program is ending much as it began: in haste and without consultation”. The FNEEQ-CSN is campaigning for more universal financial assistance, stressing that improving working conditions is crucial to making professions more attractive.

Pierre Lassonde fait un don majeur à Polytechnique Montréal

Radio-Canada, March 7, 2025

Pierre Lassonde, philanthrope et président du conseil d'administration de Polytechnique Montréal, a annoncé un don de 50 millions de dollars pour soutenir la formation en génie. Ce don servira à «financer la recherche fondamentale», permettant ainsi aux meilleurs talents en génie de s’inscrire dans la durée à Montréal pour réaliser un doctorat ou postdoctorat. Cette contribution s'inscrit dans la continuité de son engagement envers l'éducation et l'innovation technologique.

​Le Canada s'oppose aux États-Unis sur les questions de genre

La Presse, March 13, 2025

At a recent meeting at the United Nations, Canada expressed its disagreement with the United States on gender issues. This recent divergence underlines the two countries' distinct ideologies when it comes to gender policies on the international stage. Unlike the United States, Canada reaffirms its commitment to gender equality and women's rights at the UN.

Trop de travailleurs esseulés

Source : Le Devoir, March 15, 2025

According to a Global-Watch survey of 582 Quebec workers, loneliness at work is a growing phenomenon. One in five employees feels lonely at work, and this proportion rises to 30% among those who telework a lot.

Marie-Claude Pelletier, President of Global-Watch, explains: “When we talk about the overall health of workers, this includes physical, mental and social health, and the survey results point to serious challenges in the area of social health.

To remedy this, employers should adapt their telecommuting policies to encourage social interaction when their teams are in the office.