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

Sens captain Brady Tkachuk unhappy with White House AI video that insulted Canadians

Sens captain Brady Tkachuk unhappy with White House AI video that insulted Canadians
Brady Tkachuk’s first game back with the Ottawa Senators wasn’t an easy one.

Sens captain Brady Tkachuk unhappy with White House AI video that insulted Canadians

From energy to AI: Five big themes behind Carney's mission to India

From energy to AI: Five big themes behind Carney's mission to India
Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip to India meant to reset bilateral relations after two years of extreme tensions.

From energy to AI: Five big themes behind Carney's mission to India

Persian Gulf War vets still fighting for better recognition after 35 years

Persian Gulf War vets still fighting for better recognition after 35 years
For Denis Cote, one of the worst parts of the Persian Gulf War was entering the conflict zone not knowing what to expect as sirens blared in the dead of night, warning of a missile attack. 

Persian Gulf War vets still fighting for better recognition after 35 years

Immigration measures stay in border bill with no amendment

Immigration measures stay in border bill with no amendment
Senators on the national security committee have approved the immigration measures outlined in the government's border bill, C-12, with no amendment, despite the Senate social affairs committee recommending those areas be withdrawn entirely. 

Immigration measures stay in border bill with no amendment

Canadian economy contracted 0.6% in Q4 to cap volatile 2025: StatCan

Canadian economy contracted 0.6% in Q4 to cap volatile 2025: StatCan
Statistics Canada says the economy capped off a volatile year with a contraction in the final quarter of 2025.

Canadian economy contracted 0.6% in Q4 to cap volatile 2025: StatCan

Federal government reports deficit of $26.1B for its April-to-December period

Federal government reports deficit of $26.1B for its April-to-December period
The federal government posted a budgetary deficit of $26.14 billion for the April-to-December period of its 2025-26 fiscal year.

Federal government reports deficit of $26.1B for its April-to-December period