Opposition leaders are hoping the budget being delivered Tuesday comes with tax breaks for Quebecers.
Coalition Avenir Quebec Leader Francois Legault said Monday that is glad that the Liberal government has eliminated the health tax, but says that there is still plenty of work to do to lower the financial burden on families.
By the CAQ's estimate, the Liberals have raised the price of everything from gasoline taxes to the cost of electricity by about $900.
"We're short by $900 so what we ask is a tax cut, an additional tax cut, of $1,000 for families because they need this money desperately, especially the middle class," said Legault.
Le gouvernement libéral de Philippe Couillard doit réduire les impôts des familles d'au moins 1000$ pour compenser les augmentations. pic.twitter.com/xboLOwnvdD
— François Legault (@francoislegault) March 27, 2017
The Parti Quebecois agreed, saying the cost of daycare has grown considerably under the Liberals.
Jean-Francois Lisée said he would like to see an end to the sliding scale payment plan for daycares based on income, and a return to the flat rate of $7 for all.
PQ finance critic Nicolas Marceau said he expects the Liberal government to waste money on short-term spending for 2017 before delivering plenty of "electoral goodies" for 2018 -- an election year.
He also said that the Liberals have cut $3.2 billion from health care over a two-year period -- and are simply restoring money that he had placed in the budget during his time as finance minister.
Lisee agreed.
“The Liberals have gutted the education system and the health system and the regions for three years now. My expectation is that they at least repair the damage and that means to put back in the system what they took out. My expectations are low,” he said.
Marceau is also concerned about the Caisse de Depot's REM light rail project in Montreal, which has already grown in cost by more than $500 million since it was announced.
Finance Minister Carlos Leitao is expected to deliver a balanced budget on Tuesday, with more spending on health care and education.
“The economy and the finances of Quebec are in much better shape today than three years ago,” said Leitao, who stuck with a longstanding (and mysterious) tradition for Canadian finance ministers and bought new shoes for the occasion.
“This year we're able to buy new shoes,” he said. “That improved financial health and economy allow us to spend more on our priorities, which are health and education.”
As for tax cuts, Leitao did not reveal too much: “Well, we said already that we will be lightening the tax burden. For the details, stay tuned tomorrow. They'll be revealed,” he said.
