The Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) could in turn promise a tax cut to Quebecers, as the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) did this weekend. “I ask you to be patient,” Prime Minister François Legault said on Monday.
Passing through Montreal to announce the candidacy in Anjou–Louis-Riel of former city councilor Karine Boivin Roy, the CAQ leader did not rule out that a recurring drop in the tax burden would be added to the one-off checks he will be paid to taxpayers this year. “We never said we wouldn’t announce tax cuts,” said Mr. Legault on the sidelines of the announcement.
On Saturday, the Liberal Party and its leader Dominique Anglade pledged to lower the tax rate applicable to the first $92,580 of income by 1.5 percentage points. The official opposition party also promises to create a new tax bracket at 27.75% for incomes over $300,000.
According to the calculations of the PLQ, some Quebecers would see up to $1,000 a year coming back into their pockets. These tax measures would dig a $2 billion hole in the public treasury.
“I understand that the Liberals, in an unconventional way, announce their campaign commitments four months before the election. We will do it in due time, ”said François Legault on Monday.
To counter the effects of inflation, the CAQ government has so far opted for ad hoc assistance measures. This spring, Quebecers who earn less than $100,000 were paid $500 from their tax refunds. François Legault already promises a second amount “in November, December” if he is returned to power.
Since the start of the CAQ’s four-year mandate, Finance Minister Eric Girard has always been reluctant to reduce Quebecers’ income tax. When he came to power, he said instead that he wanted to achieve the state’s debt reduction objectives.
Further details will follow.