EN FR

Taxpayers Federation slams Legault government for delaying balanced budgets

Author: 2021/03/25
  • Quebec budget expected to be balanced in 2027-28
  • Government rules out tax hikes to get back to balance
  • Employee compensation expenditures are up 3.7 per cent

MONTRÉAL, QC – The Canadian Taxpayers Federation criticized the Legault government’s decision to delay balancing the budget to 2027-28.

“It’s easy for a government to spend money, what requires true courage is to make choices based on our ability to pay,” said CTF Quebec Director Renaud Brossard. “By delaying its plans to balance the budget, the Legault government is shovelling its bills to the next generation of Quebecers.”

The government estimates it will run a $12.3-billion deficit in 2021-22

The government suspended the Balanced Budget Act, removing the requirements to balance the budget within five years.

Finance Minister Éric Girard rejected tax hikes as a means of balancing the budget, saying: “We won’t increase Quebecers’ tax burden. They already pay enough taxes.”

“Despite this government’s spending spree, taxpayers can find solace with the fact that Girard rejected tax hikes,” said Brossard. “But borrowing today will cost taxpayers more in the future so the government needs to find ways to control spending.”

Employee compensation spending is up 3.7 per cent in 2021-22.

Quebec’s economy shrank by 5.2 per cent last year.

“It goes to show there are two economic realities in Quebec: that of government bureaucrats who are guaranteed a job and a raise every year, and that of taxpayers who are stuck paying for it,” said Brossard. “If the government wants to get serious about balancing the budget, it needs to look no further than employee compensation costs.”


A Note for our Readers:

Is Canada Off Track?

Canada has problems. You see them at gas station. You see them at the grocery store. You see them on your taxes.

Is anyone listening to you to find out where you think Canada’s off track and what you think we could do to make things better?

You can tell us what you think by filling out the survey


Join now to get the Taxpayer newsletter


You deserve to know the real story about what happens to your tax dollars. We expose funny and infuriating stories about governments wasting money on stupid things. And we hold politicians accountable because taxpayers deserve transparency.

You can get the inside scoop right from my notebook each week so you can hold politicians accountable for hilarious and infuriating stories the media usually misses. You can sign up for the Taxpayer Update Newsletter now.
— Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director

Looks good!
Please enter a valid email address

We take data security and privacy seriously. Your information will be kept safe.

<