There are good moves attributable to the CAQ in 2023. But these, although important, had little economic impact and were mainly limited to public administration.
On the other hand, with the experience of 2023, the government is losing its capacity to finance both the very expensive battery sector, the exponential costs of the health component, the increasingly requested social programs and the smooth running of the public service. We are stretching the taxpayer’s ability to pay, with the bill constantly growing. But how will the CAQ both ensure its long-term investment commitments and maintain the positive bias of voters without emptying our Generations Fund?
Elsewhere, we let the school community on strike wait in winter… before giving it all the attention it deserves. During the negotiations, Legault told us of his concern about the impact on children. In my opinion, he then also sanctioned his own team of negotiators, who did not “deliver”.
The SAAQ disaster reveals another aberration, namely the obsession with wanting to develop its applications. Elsewhere, IT is mature, many provinces and dozens of countries have already automated the management of registrations and insurance plans. We’re starting from scratch. This, instead of reusing and adapting what already exists which works at a known cost and with a serious implementation schedule.
In addition, we must not forget the dream of the seniors’ house construction program, at a nightmarish cost of $1.2 million per room (May 2023 estimate). Being realistic and rational, how can we arrive at such a cost? Especially since each dollar put into this program is one less to build so-called standard places, when we are in shortage.
It remains to be seen if the CAQ will let us benefit from the free federal dental program or if it will use the equivalent amount to finance its errors and other known stupidities!