Quebec solidaire wants to index government benefits twice a year
Even before the national assembly reconvenes next Tuesday, Québec solidaire (QS) is already proposing measures to help Quebecers who are facing a skyrocketing cost of living.
In a news release issued on Sunday morning, Québec solidaire proposes that the Legault government take advantage of the Dec. 8 economic update "to index Quebec government benefits twice a year so that they better reflect the evolution of inflation."
QS is targeting the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (RQAP), public sector retirement pensions, CNESST benefits for work-related accidents, student financial assistance (AFE), the solidarity tax credit, social assistance and compensation for victims of crime (IVAC).
For his part, Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard recently opened the door to some form of financial support for businesses to help them cope with inflation.
The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government is also moving forward with its election promise to help individuals cope with the rising cost of living. More than 6.5 million taxpayers will receive one-time assistance this month ranging from $400 to $600, depending on their income for the year 2021.
This does not satisfy Montreal MNA Haroun Bouazzi, who is responsible for finance and believes that this form of non-recurring assistance will not achieve the desired objective.
"With his ill-targeted tax cuts and all-out cheques, François Legault is depriving us of precious revenues that should be used to help those who really need it," said Bouazzi.
"Indexing pensions twice a year is a minimum to better protect seniors from inflation. The federal pension is indexed four times a year, and I can't believe that in Quebec, we are not able to do it at least twice a year," said Sherbrooke MNA Christine Labrie, who is responsible for seniors' issues.
During the election campaign that ended on Oct. 3, all parties represented in the national assembly made the fight against inflation one of their top priorities for the next parliamentary session.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 27, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.