The Montreal Economic Institute awards its 2014 Economic Education Prizes to Yannick Lemay and Nicolas Van Praet

MONTREAL, Dec. 2, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) presented its two annual Economic Education Prizes, each accompanied by a $3,000 cash award, to renowned caricaturist Yannick Lemay (YGRECK) and to journalist and columnist Nicolas Van Praet.

For a decade now, through his work as a caricaturist, Mr. Lemay has addressed a great number of economic topics related to current events, such as the deficit and the state of public finances in Quebec, taxpayers' fiscal burden, the bloated bureaucracy and the size of the state. His caricatures demonstrate a keen understanding of these issues and succeed in getting pertinent messages across in a humorous fashion, thereby helping to move these debates forward.

Mr. Van Praet has covered economic news in Quebec for several years for English Canadian newspapers. Through his nuanced and pragmatic commentary, he makes a fundamental contribution to debates on the political and economic issues affecting Quebec and Canada as a whole. His articles on the exploration for oil resources on Anticosti Island and their economic potential have earned him this recognition.

Every year since 2006, the MEI has highlighted the work of two journalists, television or radio hosts, bloggers, commentators, media personalities or columnists (one francophone and one anglophone) who, through their work, demonstrate an exceptional understanding of the economic consequences of public policies. The MEI values the crucial contribution of the media in the transmission of ideas and knowledge.

* * *

The Montreal Economic Institute is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit research and educational organization. Through its studies and its conferences, the MEI stimulates debate on public policies in Quebec and across Canada by proposing wealth-creating reforms based on market mechanisms.

SOURCE: Montreal Economic Institute

Interview requests: Mariam Diaby, Communications Director, Montreal Economic Institute / Tel.: [phone] ext. 2231 / Cell.: 514-668-3063 / Email: [email protected]