Thursday, March 19, 2026
ADVT 
National

It's budget day in Quebec, and finance minister says don't expect major goodies

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Mar, 2026 09:51 AM
  • It's budget day in Quebec, and finance minister says don't expect major goodies

Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard is set to table his budget today for the upcoming fiscal year.

Speaking to journalists Tuesday, he said Quebecers shouldn't expect any new big-ticket items as the province tries to reduce the deficit.

Today's budget will likely be Girard's last before the fall general election, and it comes shortly before the governing Coalition Avenir Québec chooses a new leader next month to replace Premier François Legault.

Girard has said the budget will include an envelope of money for Legault's successor — Christine Fréchette or Bernard Drainville — to use to deliver on campaign promises.

In his fiscal update last November, Girard said the province was projected to have a deficit of $12.4 billion for the 2025-26 fiscal year, or 1.5 per cent of the GDP.

Girard has said government spending will focus on core functions and infrastructure, as well as on tackling issues like conjugal violence and homelessness.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

MORE National ARTICLES

Coroner calls inquest into Tumbler Ridge, B.C., deaths

Coroner calls inquest into Tumbler Ridge, B.C., deaths
British Columbia's chief coroner has called an inquest into the shooting deaths of nine people in Tumbler Ridge to determine how future deaths might be prevented. 

Coroner calls inquest into Tumbler Ridge, B.C., deaths

Canadian military personnel in Middle East out of harm's way: McGuinty

Canadian military personnel in Middle East out of harm's way: McGuinty
Defence Minister David McGuinty says Canadian military personnel in the Middle East are out of harm’s way as the U.S. and Israel continue to launch missile strikes on Iran.

Canadian military personnel in Middle East out of harm's way: McGuinty

Warm winter temperatures returning to B.C. as daily records fall in five communities

Warm winter temperatures returning to B.C. as daily records fall in five communities
Warmer than usual weather has returned to British Columbia after a brief cold spell last month, with five communities set to break daily high temperature records this week.

Warm winter temperatures returning to B.C. as daily records fall in five communities

Rising foreign investment in Canada doesn't tell the whole story, economists say

Rising foreign investment in Canada doesn't tell the whole story, economists say
Statistics Canada says the flow of foreign direct investment into the economy came close to a two-decade high last year, but economists caution the volume of capital entering Canada isn't the only metric that matters.

Rising foreign investment in Canada doesn't tell the whole story, economists say

3M Canadian adults taking GLP-1 drugs, reshaping eating and spending, survey suggests

3M Canadian adults taking GLP-1 drugs, reshaping eating and spending, survey suggests
A new survey suggests about three million Canadian adults are currently taking GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic or Mounjaro and that many more would like to, but cost is a barrier. 

3M Canadian adults taking GLP-1 drugs, reshaping eating and spending, survey suggests

Carney in Australia to deepen trade and defence ties with 'natural partner'

Carney in Australia to deepen trade and defence ties with 'natural partner'
Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Australia, where his government is looking to build on already strong intelligence ties through broader collaboration in trade and defence.

Carney in Australia to deepen trade and defence ties with 'natural partner'