QUEBEC CITY – On Day 30 of Quebec’s election campaign, Coalition Avenir Quebec leader François Legault channelled his inner thespian, wildly cutting up a credit card and using an electronic board to illustrate that Quebec is maxed out.
“It’s the Liberal party that increased the debt by 50 per cent, by $60 billion, which is about $7 billion,” said Legault.
“Mrs. Marois didn’t do any better; she increased the debt by $8 billion in one year.”
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Legault said because of the two parties, every child in Quebec is born with a $24 000 debt – and that’s twice as much as in British-Columbia.
Quebec is the most indebted province in Canada: its debt is 54 per cent of its GDP.
Legault said that as much as he hates the Parti Quebecois’ performance, it’s the Liberals that Quebecers should fear.
“Mr. Couillard’s plan is to increase the debt by $6 billion over four years – and that’s more than the Parti Quebecois,” said Legault.
“I don’t understand. I can’t believe that some people are ready to vote for this guy. This guy not only lacks judgment but he’s irresponsible.”
The same exasperation could be felt kilometres away in the Eastern Townships, where Liberal leader Philippe Couillard said Legault’s plan to cut public-sector jobs amounts to nothing less than “anarchy.”
Meanwhile, in Montreal, PQ leader Pauline Marois told the Chamber of Commerce the government needs to invest.
She promised to finish work on the Dorval Circle by 2017, by which time she also promised to balance the budget and lower income taxes.
Legault said that he doubts the province can afford more of these big projects. He did not commit, for example, to extending Montreal’s metro line.
But he did end with this final plea to English-speaking Quebecers:
“Anglophones are scared. It’s not enough to be against a referendum. We have to remember what Mr. Charest and the Liberals did in the last nine years.”
Quebec’s debt rose by $130,000 during Legault’s 20-minute address.
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