Quebec budget 2023-2024: Here are the highlights
Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard presented his fifth budget on Tuesday, for the province's 2023-24 fiscal year. Here are some highlights:
-
Income tax cuts of one percentage point on the first two income tax brackets, starting in 2023, which will save a single earner up to $814 per year.
-
GDP growth is projected to fall to 0.6 per cent in 2023 from 2.8 per cent in 2022, before rising to 1.4 per cent in 2024.
-
Government spending will be about $148 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year, with a deficit of about $1.6 billion. The deficit rises to $4 billion after accounting for legally required payments into a fund dedicated to paying down debt.
-
The budget is projected to be balanced in 2027-28, when payments into the debt fund are considered. The budget would be balanced as early as the 2025-26 fiscal year excluding those payments.
- Starting Jan. 1, 2024, Quebecers over the age of 65 who are in the workforce will have the option to stop paying into the Quebec pension plan, which will increase their after-tax income.
LISTEN on CJAD 800 Radio: Quebec budget included long promised tax cuts. Who really benefits?
-
Health-care spending rises by 7.7 per cent, for a total of about $59 billion -- the largest government expenditure.
-
Education spending rises by six per cent, for a total of about $20 billion.
-
Spending of $649 million by the 2027-28 fiscal year for the promotion of the French language.
-
Quebec will receive about $14 billion in equalization payments in the 2023-24 fiscal year, an increase of 2.7 per cent.
-
Federal transfers will be about $30 billion, up 1.8 per cent, including about $8.7 billion for health care, which is 22 per cent more than in the previous fiscal year.
-
Debt service will be about $9.5 billion, a drop of about six per cent from the prior fiscal year.
- Quebec's gross debt by March 31, 2023, will be about $223 billion, and its gross debt-to-GDP ratio will be 40.2 per cent.
LISTEN on CJAD 800 Radio: What are you getting from the Quebec budget?
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 21, 2023
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Tone-deaf': Singh slams Johnston's decision to not step down as foreign interference rapporteur
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh slammed foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston's refusal to heed the House of Commons' call for him to step down as 'tone-deaf.'
Air Canada suffering system-wide failure, flights operating at 'reduced rate'
Air Canada is experiencing a technical issue with its flight communications system, causing delays across the country for the second time in a week.
RBC facing technical issues with online, mobile banking
The Royal Bank of Canada is facing issues with online and mobile banking. According to a brief message posted on Twitter, there is an issue with the digital display of transactions.
Climate change and El Nino's return will impact Canada's weather. Here's how
Forecasters warn an upcoming weather pattern known for warm temperatures could bring droughts, floods and even tropical storms to Canada.
Jordan's royal wedding gets underway in ceremony packed with stars and deep symbolism
The wedding of Jordan's crown prince to the scion of a prominent Saudi family began on Thursday in a palace celebration that drew massive crowds and a mood of excitement around the kingdom, while presenting the young Hashemite royal as a new player on the global stage.
Former 'Family Feud' contestant Timothy Bliefnick guilty in wife's slaying
A jury Wednesday convicted a former contestant on the television game show "Family Feud" of first-degree murder and home invasion in the slaying of his estranged wife in western Illinois.
Dished up by 3D printers, a new kind of fish to fry
Forget your hook, line and sinker. An Israeli foodtech company says it has 3D printed the first ever ready-to-cook fish filet using animal cells cultivated and grown in a laboratory.
Ottawa improving how it handles intelligence: Trudeau's national security adviser
The prime minister's national security adviser says Ottawa needs to improve the way it manages intelligence, and officials are taking steps to address breakdowns in communication within government.
Firefighters from U.S., South Africa to battle Canada's 'unprecedented' fires
More than 300 firefighters from the United States and South Africa are heading to Canada in the coming days as the country battles an unprecedented wildfire season that has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes so far this year.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Shed catches fire in residential neighbourhood near Yorkdale
A shed in a residential neighbourhood near Yorkdale Mall caught on fire Thursday afternoon.
-
Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass booed loudly by fans during first game since controversial Instagram post
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Anthony Bass was booed at the Rogers Centre after he was called onto the field Wednesday night.
-
Penguins hire former Leafs GM Dubas as president of hockey operations
The Pittsburgh Penguins have named former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas its new president of hockey operations, the club announced Thursday.
Atlantic
-
N.S. premier calls for urgent, proactive firefighting help from Ottawa
Premier Tim Houston repeated his calls for urgent firefighting help Thursday, asking Ottawa to “be proactive” with aid as multiple wildfires continue to burn out of control.
-
CTV’s Bruce Frisko receives notice to evacuate neighbourhood while anchoring newscast
Thousands of Nova Scotians have been waiting and worrying about their homes and neighbourhoods since wildfires began burning in the province on Sunday forcing mandatory evacuations. Among them is CTV Atlantic’s Bruce Frisko, who found himself on both sides of this crisis.
-
Halifax-area wildfire 50 per cent contained as crews deal with record heat in forecast
A wildfire that began burning in the Upper Tantallon, N.S., area Sunday and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents is now 50 per cent contained.
London
-
VIDEO
VIDEO | Active barn fire in Delaware
According to London fire, Engine 9, Car 9 and Tanker 5 have all responded to the scene on Brigham Road.
-
Drugs, cell phones and crossbow seized in OPP drug bust
On May 26, OPP used a search warrant to enter a home on Huron Street west for an investigation where police seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, crack cocaine and Adderall.
-
One person transported to hospital after farm incident near Exeter, Ont.
One person was hurt following an incident on a farm north of Exeter on Wednesday afternoon.
Northern Ontario
-
Fire ban declared in northern Ontario
An open-air fire ban declared by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in the north due to extreme forest fire hazard went into effect at midnight.
-
Air Canada suffering system-wide failure, flights operating at 'reduced rate'
Air Canada is experiencing a technical issue with its flight communications system, causing delays across the country for the second time in a week.
-
RBC facing technical issues with online, mobile banking
The Royal Bank of Canada is facing issues with online and mobile banking. According to a brief message posted on Twitter, there is an issue with the digital display of transactions.
Calgary
-
Engine failure, fire force WestJet Encore flight back to Calgary
A WestJet Encore flight returned to Calgary on Wednesday after an engine failure and fire while heading north of the city.
-
Senior killed, spouse injured in Airdrie rollover
Airdrie RCMP say a senior was killed and their spouse was injured in a Wednesday crash.
-
Air Canada suffering system-wide failure, flights operating at 'reduced rate'
Air Canada is experiencing a technical issue with its flight communications system, causing delays across the country for the second time in a week.
Kitchener
-
Staff at Kitchener business thwart attempted robbery
Mallory Robinson says it was “a little more than [she] was expecting” when she arrived at work at her family's Kitchener business Wednesday morning.
-
Fire rips through Kitchener townhomes, residents displaced
At least three units in a townhouse complex are damaged, displacing many residents, after a fire on Green Valley Drive in Kitchener on Wednesday afternoon.
-
'We had a bit of a baby boom': A dozen service dogs in training in need of temporary homes
An agency aimed at providing service dogs to those with disabilities and mental disorders is making a plea to the public to help foster 12 puppies for up to a year.
Vancouver
-
Emergency Operations Centre activated at Surrey Memorial Hospital
In response to a barrage of questions about Surrey’s beleaguered hospital, B.C.’s minister of health told reporters that an Emergency Operations Centre was activated at the site on Wednesday afternoon.
-
RBC facing technical issues with online, mobile banking
The Royal Bank of Canada is facing issues with online and mobile banking. According to a brief message posted on Twitter, there is an issue with the digital display of transactions.
-
Vancouver cupcake thief apologizes, offers to pay for damages from bizarre bakery break-in
The man who broke into a Dunbar bakery by kicking in a glass door Friday morning has apologized to the owner and offered to pay for damages.
Edmonton
-
Alberta to hold wildfire update Thursday afternoon
As of Thursday morning, there were 61 wildfires in Alberta, including 15 out of control.
-
Fire ban ends in Edmonton after nearly 1 month
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services ended the ban after rain and cooler weather, the City of Edmonton said in a release.
-
Red Deer school evacuated because of threat
Central Middle School in Red Deer has been evacuated as a result of a threat, RCMP say.
Windsor
-
Windsor police officer appealing after conviction for freedom convoy donation
A Windsor police officer is appealing his discreditable conduct conviction and penalty for donating $50 to the Freedom Convoy.
-
Stellantis 'does not confirm' new Windsor EV battery plant deal
Stellantis does not confirm that a deal has been reached to secure the $5-billion NextStar Energy EV battery plant in Windsor.
-
Ontario reveals details on Highway 3 widening and Highway 401 interchange projects
The Ontario government is announcing more details on the widening of Highway 3 and a new interchange connecting Highway 401 to Lauzon Parkway.
Regina
-
'This is disgusting': Sask. Indigenous prof says deep-rooted stereotypes continue to drive racial profiling
A Saskatchewan university business lecturer says companies need to do a better job of educating employees on consumer racial profiling.
-
Sask. schools left in the dark about funding, budget deadline extension
Despite promises of more money and an extension to the budget deadline for schools, the Saskatchewan government has been mum on details.
-
As Sask.'s opioid crisis continues, some are calling for more education for overdose prevention
Saskatchewan’s opioid crisis is on the rise again this year after an expected plateau in 2022.
Ottawa
-
Two city employees fired following tips to Ottawa's fraud and waste hotline in 2022
The city of Ottawa fired two employees with "medical related duties" for submitting falsified vaccination status documents last year following a tip to the city's fraud and waste hotline, according to a new report from the city's auditor general.
-
HEAT WARNING
HEAT WARNING | Hottest June 1 in Ottawa history
The temperature hit 29.8 C at 11 a.m. Thursday, setting a record for the warmest June 1 in Ottawa’s history. The old record was 29.6 C, set back in 2011, according to Environment Canada.
-
RBC facing technical issues with online, mobile banking
The Royal Bank of Canada is facing issues with online and mobile banking. According to a brief message posted on Twitter, there is an issue with the digital display of transactions.
Saskatoon
-
'This is disgusting': Sask. Indigenous prof says deep-rooted stereotypes continue to drive racial profiling
A Saskatchewan university business lecturer says companies need to do a better job of educating employees on consumer racial profiling.
-
Fire that totalled Saskatoon waste truck deemed accidental
A fire that totalled a Saskatoon waste disposal truck on Wednesday originated in the hydraulic area behind the cab, according to a fire investigator.
-
'It happened so rapidly' a victim of a daylight stabbing in Saskatoon speaks out
The victim of a random stabbing in downtown Saskatoon last Thursday is sharing her story about the horrifying attack in broad daylight.