Filing March 22 | François Legault is already defending the next budget

The Quebec government is already beginning to defend the next budget that it intends to table on March 22.

In a letter posted on his Facebook page, Prime Minister François Legault, while denying electoralism, promised that the government will come to the aid of households struggling with galloping inflation.

“Inflation is hitting many of you hard,” Mr. Legault acknowledged. It’s the cost of housing, the grocery bill, the price of gas, or the electric bill. Your government will help you in the next budget. »

However, he did not specify how the government intended to help the population. Mr. Legault also did not indicate whether he intended to implement anti-inflationary measures.

“Without revealing the March 22 budget measures, I can tell you that we will help you pay for the increases in housing, groceries, gas and electricity,” he added. .

Mr. Legault and the government had already announced their colors in February. Finance Minister Eric Girard then promised a “responsible” budget.

Inflation now exceeds government forecasts. He had forecast a rate of 3% for 2022, whereas we are heading more towards 4%.

“I am very aware that the increase in the price of rents, groceries, gasoline is currently hurting a lot. Inflation is very high, in some cases higher than the increases in citizens’ incomes,” added the Prime Minister.

In the same breath, Mr. Legault took the opportunity on Saturday to praise the economic achievements of his government, recalling in particular the low unemployment rate.

Among the measures he lists are the reduction of tariffs in hospital parking lots, the reduction in the cost of driving licenses and the reimbursement of the purchase of glasses for children.

Mr. Legault also affirmed that his government would implement “a rigorous plan to return to balanced budgets and reduce the debt”.

This budget will be the last tabled by the CAQ government before the next general election to be held on October 3.