The opposition parties in the National Assembly hope that the economic update which will be presented in less than 48 hours by the Legault government will bring good news for people who are particularly harmed by inflation.
The update which will be unveiled Tuesday by the Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, should not contain new general one-off assistance, according to what the government has suggested. However, Prime Minister François Legault has repeatedly raised the idea of more targeted aid for people who are particularly affected by rising prices and interest rates.
Among the oppositions, we hope that this aid will materialize in structuring programs which will attack the roots of the problems of housing and the cost of living.
“It’s not just targeted measures that we’re taking, it’s long-term measures, structuring measures,” insists Quebec Solidaire (QS) MP Christine Labrie. Sending checks, even if they are more targeted checks, does not solve the problem in the long term. »
In this sense, QS is asking the government to better govern rent increases and to raise the minimum wage. The Parti Québécois (PQ) is proposing to implement a program to facilitate access to property, in particular by improving the tax credit for the purchase of a first home, which is currently $1,500.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Joël Arseneau, PQ MP
We hope that the government will show imagination, rather than doing like the last budgets and sending checks that are spent as soon as they are received.
Joël Arseneau, PQ MP
On the side of the Liberal Party (PLQ), we suggest eliminating the Quebec sales tax (QST) on the construction of rental housing, which would echo similar decisions taken by other provinces since the federal government announced , in September, that he was removing the GST on this type of construction – Mr. Legault has already ruled out this idea, arguing that it would cost too much and would not necessarily be very effective.
The PLQ also believes that it would be relevant to extend parental leave by six months due to the lack of places in daycares.
“In these times of economic uncertainty, it is imperative that the CAQ take control of itself and demonstrate vision and responsibility,” wrote interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay in a written statement sent to The Canadian Press.
More help for housing
When announcing the date of his economic update a month ago, Minister Girard indicated that the issues of housing, homelessness and adaptation to climate change would be at the heart of it. this.
We should therefore learn a little more on Tuesday about how Quebec will spend a first part of the 900 million that will be transferred to it over the next five years by the federal government as part of the Fund to accelerate housing construction.
Quebec has committed to doubling the amount, so that 1.8 billion will be invested to build affordable housing over the next five years.
The details of this agreement are not yet known, but the opposition parties already want to ensure that this sum will be used for the construction of social housing.
“There is money coming to us from the federal government, finally, but it must be used to create social housing,” notes Mr. Arseneau. In the last budget, there were 1000 units planned. We need at least 5,000 per year, so it’s important to work hard on this issue, because expectations are high. »
“When I say social housing, I mean housing that will remain affordable in perpetuity, unlike what is done with certain programs,” adds M.me Labrie.
In its last budget, in March, Quebec reserved 650 million to build and renovate 5,250 social housing units via various programs.
Under the backdrop of negotiations in the public sector
Minister Girard will make his presentation the day after what was the first day of the inter-union common front strike. The common front, which is made up of the CSQ, the CSN, the APTS and the FTQ, represents 420,000 workers who will walk out on Monday, disrupting the activities of schools, health establishments and CEGEPs.
At QS, Mme Labrie believes that the economic update would be a good time for the government to increase its offer for public sector workers.
“At the speed with which the government deposit was rejected in the last few days, it was clearly an insult to state workers. When you look at the rising cost of living, they were not at all satisfied. Then quite honestly, I understand them,” she emphasizes.
Quebec is offering all state employees a salary increase of 10.3% over five years, with a lump sum of $1,000 paid once, the first year. It adds to this a sum equivalent to 3% reserved for government priorities linked to the organization of work, i.e. differentiated offers.
Unions have called the offer “derisory”, arguing that the 10.3% wage increase will not cover the expected rise in inflation – the government rejects this argument, as it presents its offer as equivalent of 14.8% including the $1000 and the differentiated offers.
The PQ also believes that the government should offer more to public sector workers.
“If we continue to reduce their ability to cope with inflation and the cost of living, it is clear that we are sending an extremely negative signal,” says Mr. Arseneau. And at that point, how can we hope to rebuild the health system, the education system and, essentially, the public service? »
The issue of financing public transport companies will also be closely monitored by the various political parties when Minister Girard presents his update Tuesday morning in Quebec.