A measure in the 2022-2023 Quebec budget, tabled Tuesday by the Legault government, particularly inflamed the public sphere. Indeed, each taxpayer whose salary is less than $100,000 will receive an amount of $500 from the Quebec government.
François Legault defended this measure, from which 6.4 million Quebecers will benefit, arguing that the middle class is also affected by inflation. On the other hand, many voices from the political and media classes have spoken out against this financial boost, which is not proportional to the salary of each taxpayer, and which many perceive as a complacent measure in the run-up to the elections.
Here are the most striking proposals made by personalities to suggest what to do with their $500. Proposals that are obviously aimed at people who can do without this amount.
Comedian Louis T, who often pours into political commentary, posted a screenshot of a $500 donation to food bank organization Bouffe pour tous. The winner of two Gémeaux awards thanked the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) in his publication, but specified that “people will need it more than me”.
Opposition parties, starting with the Parti Québécois (PQ), have also suggested ways to spend the $500. The leader of the party, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, indicated that certain PQ members were eligible for the credit, but that “the caucus has taken the resolution that any member who receives this amount agrees to donate it to a [organisme] who cares for people in real need. He invited the deputies of the CAQ who are eligible for the “500 $ caquiste” to do the same.
Some of our deputies being eligible for the $500 caquiste, the PQ caucus has taken the resolution that any deputy who receives this amount agrees to donate it to an organization. who cares for people in real need. I invite the members of the CAQ to do the same. #polqc pic.twitter.com/nl43lY491E
— Paul St-Pierre Plamondon (@PaulPlamondon) March 23, 2022
The Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) went there with a meme in which images of François Legault and Anne Casabonne on the show Everyone talks about it are superimposed. The duo conducts a fictional dialogue in which Anne Casabonne is delighted to use the money to “donate $200 to the Conservative Party of Quebec”.
Imagine the irony: François Legault who finances the electoral campaign of his main rival.
To become a member or to donate, click on the following link: https://t.co/K1P7Kt63WJ
Frankly, we think it’s a great idea! #PCQ pic.twitter.com/iH8U6ePuNT
— Conservative Party of Quebec (@PconservateurQc) March 23, 2022
In a short video posted on Instagram, journalist and author Judith Lussier invites Quebecers to use this money to donate to a party other than the CAQ. “You could even contribute to the electoral fund of the Communist Party or the Rhinoceros Party, given it…”, she says, tongue-in-cheek.
Comedian Léa Stréliski also went there with a touch of humor. She shared a Twitter post in which a user asks “What are you going to be able to afford with the $500? “. The author and columnist replied “bitcoins” as well as “Alberta oil”.
Lawyer and businessman Mitch Garber took it seriously on Twitter. He urged people who say they don’t need the $500 to “donate it to a charity of your choice.” He also listed a few causes that have “critical needs” in Quebec.
For those who say they don’t need the $500, this is the perfect opportunity to donate it to the charity of their choice. Quebec has critical needs in terms of: homelessness, mental health, domestic violence, hospital care, cancer research, etc.
—Mitch Garber (@mitchgarber) March 24, 2022
Finally, the comedian Arnaud Soly went there with a delicious meme in tune with certain critics who see the announcement of the $500 credit as an electoral measure. He made a visual montage that simulates receiving a $500 Interac bank transfer. The sender is “François Legault” and the security question is “your favorite political party?” “. The comedian writes in the caption: “Are you just me who is [sic] unable to cash my transfer from the CAQ? “. In commentary, François Legault himself replied “Can we talk to each other for two minutes? “.