Taxing “surplus profits”, the GAFAMs and fighting against profits diverted to tax havens: this is how the Parti Québécois (PQ) intends to fulfill its commitments aimed at ensuring the “sustainability” of public services.
Funding for CPEs, health and education are at the heart of the PQ’s plan, said Chief Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who was in Montreal on Tuesday to unveil his financial framework.
To support the commitments of the PQ in this area, large digital companies would be taxed at 3% of their Quebec turnover. This tax measure would bring nearly $1.775 billion into state coffers during an eventual term.
If elected, a PQ government plans to tax excess profits. It is a question of attacking certain non-competitive economic sectors which have “taken advantage of the inflation crisis to literally rob Quebec consumers”, maintained Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon. The latter promised to give more details on this subject soon.
No tax cuts, but a check for the less fortunate
However, no question of lowering taxes or taxes to the Parti Québécois. The political party is instead banking on a check sent to the middle class, which is struggling to “make ends meet”. The PQ leader hammered home that lowering taxes is a “one-way ticket to austerity”.
But some families are “struggling to make ends meet” in the face of inflation. If it is brought to power, the PQ would therefore send a single check for $1,200 to Quebecers who earn less than $50,0000 and $750 to those who have incomes between $50,000 and $80,000, by 31 december. A measure that “does not attack the ability to fund our public services,” according to Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon.
The PQ plans to achieve a balanced budget in 2025-2026. However, the following year, a deficit of $518 million is forecast. “A very comfortable area,” commented the PQ leader. At the end of a possible term, the debt-to-GDP ratio would be 39.4%.
Like Québec solidaire (QS), the PQ promises to put an end to the incorporation of doctors and to review the remuneration of these health professionals.
A total of $231 million is provided for in the financial framework to prepare for Quebec’s independence. This budget would be invested in studies, as well as in economic and social preparation, explained Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
Further details will follow.