Quebec presents optimistic budget for uncertain times

Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard presented a “sober” budget on March 18, spending $9.6 billion over five years to strengthen public services, stimulate the economy, convert 5,000 non‐subsidized daycare spaces to subsidized and invest $5 billion in infra‐ structure.

“Quebec is facing an economic and geopolitical context marked by persistent uncertainty,” said Girard, delivering his eighth budget for the Coalition Avenir Québec government. Tightened spending means the 2025-2026 deficit is now estimated at $9.94 billion, down from the $11 billion announced last year, and Girard projects a deficit of $8.6 billion in the new 2026-2027 fiscal year, starting April 1.

Some of that tightening came in funding cuts to YES Employment + Entrepreneurship, which offers programs to aid job seekers, entrepreneurs and artists, including anglophones, enter the workforce.

TALQ, a federally funded English‐language advocacy group, noted this reduction comes at a time when the federal govern‐ ment is also reducing support, and expressed disappointment that TALQ was not consulted.