Wednesday, March 18, 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

B.C. killings due to 'botched robbery,' defence lawyer says, as murder trial closes

B.C. killings due to 'botched robbery,' defence lawyer says, as murder trial closes
A weeks-long trial of three men accused of murdering an Abbotsford, B.C., couple came to a close in B.C. Supreme Court on Tuesday, with defence lawyers painting a picture of a robbery gone wrong leading to the killings, rather than a premeditated case of first-degree murder. 

B.C. killings due to 'botched robbery,' defence lawyer says, as murder trial closes

Conservatives seek to remove barriers to alcohol shipments across provincial borders

Conservatives seek to remove barriers to alcohol shipments across provincial borders
The federal Conservatives are pushing to allow Canada Post to ship alcohol between provinces, saying the Liberals have failed to live up to their pledge to remove interprovincial trade barriers.

Conservatives seek to remove barriers to alcohol shipments across provincial borders

Vancouver moves closer to no-snow winter despite chilly blast

Vancouver moves closer to no-snow winter despite chilly blast
Vancouver has moved closer to an official snowless winter after a chilly blast failed to result in the benchmark one centimetre of accumulation at the city's airport.

Vancouver moves closer to no-snow winter despite chilly blast

Gun control groups 'disappointed" by lack of information on Tumbler Ridge firearms

Gun control groups 'disappointed
Five gun control advocacy groups have told the RCMP they're "alarmed and disappointed" the force has not yet disclosed basic information about the models and legal status of the firearms used in the Tumbler Ridge, B.C., mass shooting.

Gun control groups 'disappointed" by lack of information on Tumbler Ridge firearms

Canada will 'never participate' in Iran offensive, Carney says

Canada will 'never participate' in Iran offensive, Carney says
Prime Minister Mark Carney told MPs in the House of Commons Tuesday that Canada is not involved in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and "will never participate in it."

Canada will 'never participate' in Iran offensive, Carney says

Eby says he had 'frank discussion' with U.S. ambassador on lumber dispute, tariffs

Eby says he had 'frank discussion' with U.S. ambassador on lumber dispute, tariffs
B.C. Premier David Eby says he had a "frank discussion" with U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra about the cross-border softwood lumber dispute and tariffs.

Eby says he had 'frank discussion' with U.S. ambassador on lumber dispute, tariffs