Finance Minister Carlos Leitao promises a balanced budget — and a plan for balanced budgets for the next five years.
“The economy and the finances of Quebec are in much better shape today than three years ago. That improved financial health and economy will allow us to spend more,” Leitao said.
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He’s loosening up the purse strings — and says his government will invest more in education and health care.
In the past few days, the government has made numerous pre-budget announcements, already promising $655 million in 2017 for maintenance and renovation of schools — and $70 million for tourism.
The government has also made it clear it’s ready to invest in Montreal’s proposed electric train. The finance minister hoped the federal government would match that transit investment, which is expected to be over a billion dollars. It was a sore spot last week when Trudeau’s Liberals didn’t make any specific commitments in their budget.
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On tax cuts, we’ve heard conflicting things in recent weeks. Minister Leitao says he will lighten the tax burden, but he’s also said he’ll be prudent. Two major questions — is there anything for Quebec exporters in this budget? And does the government have a contingency plan for a Trump-era, possibly post-NAFTA economy?
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