Middle class Quebecers will shoulder most of the burden of tax hikes and fee increases proposed in Finance Minister Raymond Bachand's first budget.

Many understand that Quebec's "welfare state" self-image has to change, but that doesn't mean they have to like it.

The new "healthcare contribution," which will be $25 per adult in 2010, and will rise to $200 by 2012, worries new mother Christina Aon.

"Twenty five dollars as a service fee is not that much, but in two years it's going to be over two hundred dollars, that has me a little concerned," said Aon.

Within the next two years, this healthcare contribution fund is expected to generate annual revenues of $1 billion.

Premier Jean Charest said the fund is necessary, because healthcare costs are growing very quickly.

"That's the reason why we are asking people for, and Quebecers to make a special effort for healthcare, and we want to link that to the performance of our system and efficiencies in the system," said Charest.

As the population ages, "it has to be on standby for all of us for when we'll need the healthcare system."

Some doctors think this method of assigning a cost to healthcare, even though it's much lower than what is actually spent, is good.

"Even this amount would be getting away with a pretty good deal given the cost of healthcare globally," said Dr. Sylviane Forget.

With this move Quebec joins Ontario and British Columbia in charging a separate healthcare premium.

Ontario charges residents $60-$900 per year depending on income, while B.C. demands residents pay $57 per month for its "Medical Services Plan", with family rates capped at $114.

Alberta eliminated health care premiums in 2009.

University tuition will rise

Students will also notice a rise in fees. Starting in 2012, tuition hikes will start to rise, after being frozen since 1996.

While that announcement was expected, reaction is mixed.

"It's about time if our universities are going to be competitive, it's necessary," said Chanel Savoie.

Tarek Ghazzoui wasn't impressed.

"Already students are having great debts, and I personally am not happy about it," said Ghazzoui.

Aon and her husband Bob Hanna agreed that overall, the budget demands are a necessary burden for Quebecers to bear.

"I'm just thinking of this little guy," said Hanna, referring to his infant son. "I don't want to leave any debt to him that we can't manage ourselves. I think it's important that each generation takes responsibility for the services it consumes."

Overall, that seems to be the message that Bachand has for the province with his first budget.

"You know nothing is free. Either you pay for it or the other citizens have to pay for it."