In a context of uncertainty for the global economy, the risks of recession have increased to 50% in Quebec, said CAQ leader François Legault, who sees this as a reason for voters to opt for stability with his political training.
M. Legault said his finance minister Éric Girard has raised his forecast for a recession, which he estimated at 35% in June.
“I had the opportunity to discuss with Éric Girard, we are approaching 50%, he said in a press briefing, after having voted in advance in his riding of L’Assomption. There is a risk at the global level and a risk that has increased in recent days. »
The leader of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) believes that his team has the experience and skills to face these uncertainties.
“We are much better off with competent people who have proven themselves than taking risks in a situation like this where there is a risk of a global economic slowdown which is greater,” he said.
In addition to highlighting the strength of his economic team, Mr. Legault repeated his measures to fight inflation, the first of which would be available “as of December”, if the CAQ is re-elected.
Mr. Legault expressed confidence that the CAQ’s financial framework will hold up if ever the economic situation deteriorates more than expected.
“We have a financial executive who is responsible, who is conservative with a small c,” he said.
Even if the CAQ’s economic growth forecasts are more optimistic than those of the private sector, Mr. Legault is counting on provisions to cash in on a possible slowdown.
“We have provisions of 2 billion,” he said.
Earlier this week, Mr. Legault had decreed that the economy would be the question that voters should have in mind when they cast their ballot in the ballot box.
Nothing is acquired
On Saturday, Mr. Legault went to Repentigny, a municipality included in part in the riding of L’Assomption, of which he is the deputy.
In a room where he joined activists, Mr. Legault told them that several people are suffering from the “mini-crisis” of inflation caused by international turbulence and the aftermath of the pandemic.
“There is war in Ukraine, a breakdown of some supply chains,” he said. It’s that there are people who have trouble getting there. »
He took advantage of this first stop of the day to motivate his troops to bring out the advance poll, which began on Sunday and continues on Monday.
“Today and tomorrow is as important as October 3,” he said, inviting activists to go door to door to convince people to vote.
Mr. Legault explained that the situation of his party should not prevent him from making every effort for re-election.
“You shouldn’t take anything for granted, there is even a challenge for us because there are some who think it’s already there,” he said. It’s not over until the world has voted. »
The CAQ leader still gave free rein to his enthusiasm by talking about the formation of his next council of ministers.
“We already had a very strong team,” he said. We are adding more people. There are journalists who say: ‘how are you going to choose?’ We have people to make two councils of ministers. But it’s a nice problem. »