Legault government may postpone Quebec's return to balanced budget
The Legault government may postpone its goal of returning to a balanced budget by 2027.
Finance Minister Eric Girard explained on Thursday that Quebec's economy was slowing down and that government revenues were falling while spending was rising.
The wage increases granted to public sector employees are higher than those forecast in the economic update, Girard said.
"I'm telling you the truth," he said at a news scrum on Thursday morning on the sidelines of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) pre-sessional caucus, which is being held in Sherbrooke.
"The stagnating economy is putting pressure on revenues, public sector negotiations are putting material pressure on spending, and that's certain to have an impact," he explained.
"It's mathematical: at this stage, the deficits are going to be bigger," said Girard, who refused to reiterate his objective of returning to a balanced budget by 2027-2028.
When asked by reporters what would happen next, the finance minister replied that "everything will be disclosed in the budget," which will be presented later this spring.
Cheques from $400 to $600: extension of the eligibility period
Girard also announced Thursday that he was extending the deadline for receiving the $400 to $600 cheque that had been promised to taxpayers at the end of 2022 until June 30.
He explained that his announcement affected around 65,000 Quebecers eligible for financial assistance who had not filed their tax returns for 2021 by the deadline of June 30, 2023.
"Because the situation is extremely difficult, I have asked Revenu Québec to extend the eligibility period for receiving the $400 to $600," said Girard.
The measure will cost $38 million, but this sum has already been set aside, he added.
From Thetford Mines, Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) interim leader Marc Tanguay accused the Legault government of mismanaging public finances.
"When they came to power in 2018, there was $7 billion in the coffers. They spent it completely ... We would not have sent ... cheques ... purely for electoral purposes," he said. "This is a bad government that has lost control of public finances."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 25, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.