Saturday, March 21, 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

Ottawa puts $200M into space launch pad in Nova Scotia

Ottawa puts $200M into space launch pad in Nova Scotia
The federal government is putting $200 million toward a Canadian-owned launch pad so it can send satellites into orbit without the assistance of other nations or other foreign third parties.

Ottawa puts $200M into space launch pad in Nova Scotia

Alberta NDP, advocates call on province to take action on accessibility standards

Alberta NDP, advocates call on province to take action on accessibility standards
Disability advocates and the Alberta NDP are calling on the government to up its game when it comes to accessibility, saying it comes down to giving people dignity.

Alberta NDP, advocates call on province to take action on accessibility standards

Canada can 'manage' Trump's call for help without being drawn into Iran war: minister

Canada can 'manage' Trump's call for help without being drawn into Iran war: minister
Canada can successfully navigate President Donald Trump's call for NATO allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz without getting drawn into the war, Defence Minister David McGuinty said Monday.

Canada can 'manage' Trump's call for help without being drawn into Iran war: minister

CAF 'not engaged' in 'prosecution' of Iran war: defence minister

CAF 'not engaged' in 'prosecution' of Iran war: defence minister
Defence Minister David McGuinty says Canadian Armed Forces members are "not engaged" in the "prosecution" of the war against Iran.

CAF 'not engaged' in 'prosecution' of Iran war: defence minister

B.C. man killed in logging truck, pickup crash on Highway 97 near Prince George

B.C. man killed in logging truck, pickup crash on Highway 97 near Prince George
British Columbia's Highway Patrol is urging drivers in the northern Interior to use extra caution amid wintry conditions after two deadly crashes within 24 hours.

B.C. man killed in logging truck, pickup crash on Highway 97 near Prince George

Canada Energy Regulator projects power generation surge, with wind a major new source

Canada Energy Regulator projects power generation surge, with wind a major new source
A new report from the Canada Energy Regulator is projecting significant growth in electrical generation between now and 2050, in part due to new artificial intelligence data centres' thirst for power. 

Canada Energy Regulator projects power generation surge, with wind a major new source