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MONTREAL —
Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard tried to moderate Quebecers’ expectations on Tuesday ahead of what will likely be his last budget before the fall’s general election.
With the uncertainty weighing on Quebec’s economy from difficult trade talks with the United States, war in the Middle East and the governing party’s own leadership race, he said, “it isn’t time for new spending and new promises.”
Instead, Wednesday’s budget will be “sober and targeted,” he said, with a focus on the government’s core functions and investment in infrastructure. Girard said he hopes the budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year is adopted by the legislature by April 12, the day the Coalition Avenir Québec government is scheduled to name its new leader to replace Premier Francois Legault.
Speaking to journalists at the national assembly, Girard said Quebecers can also expect measures to tackle urgent issues like conjugal violence and homelessness. And he is setting aside an envelope of money for Legault’s successor to use to deliver on campaign promises.
Christine Fréchette, CAQ member and former economy minister, is running in the leadership race against Bernard Drainville, Legault’s former environment minister.
Girard wouldn’t release too many details of his budget, but he confirmed that reductions to the province’s fuel tax won’t be included. As well, he hinted that Quebec’s deficit will be smaller than last year’s and said the government’s finances are in good shape.
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.
Business and labour groups have urged the government to invest more into local economies, as well as in education, health care and transit. A federation of major Quebec business groups — Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec — released a 45-page memo calling on the government focus on stimulating private investment by lowering corporate taxes, increasing small-business tax deductions and investing in the province’s long-term infrastructure program.
A major federation of unions, called the CSN, is asking the government for investments in post-secondary education. The federation says the last budget included $151 million in cuts to junior colleges and that universities had their funding slashed by four per cent.
Echoing business groups, the Quebec Liberal Party hopes Girard’s budget will include money for small- and medium-sized businesses, housing starts, and the long-term infrastructure program.
Quebec solidaire is asking for additional resources for victims of gender-based violence and for the CAQ to repair the province’s deteriorating health-care system. It hopes Girard will increase taxes on those whose net worth exceeds $25 million, saying it’s the only way to balance the budget without cutting public services.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 17, 2026.
Erika Morris, The Canadian Press
