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Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette is expected to announce three new measures Monday — surpassing by around $80 million the budget initially set aside for François Legault’s successor, a spokesperson for the finance minister’s office told Radio-Canada.
The premier will be speaking in Sherbooke, Que., Monday afternoon to announce a reduction in vehicle registration fees and funding for more vulnerable people.
That’s in addition to a provincial sales tax cut on certain groceries, which Fréchette confirmed in a speech to Coalition Avenir Québec party members Saturday, in a bid to reduce Quebecers’ bills at checkout.
Speaking in Saint-Rémi, Que., Monday morning, Fréchette said the situation is involving and “it’s important to help Quebecers.”
Over the weekend, the premier had to defend her spending after a Radio-Canada report revealed Finance Minister Eric Girard had warned Fréchette earlier this month that she would surpass the $250-million fund allocated to her.
The minister has since told Radio-Canada there is enough wiggle room in the budget for Fréchette’s promises, given an increase in revenue and federal transfers.
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Fréchette said the new measures were developed with Girard and that he will be there for the announcement.
“The economic context has evolved considerably in recent months,” Girard wrote in a post to X Monday.
“Today, our government will take concrete and targeted measures to give households some breathing room, while respecting our ability to pay.”
His office estimated that Fréchette’s promises, including those to be announced on Monday, amount to $336 million.
He said that, unlike the provincial sales tax cut on grocery items, the changes to vehicle registration fees and financial support to vulnerable people are “exceptional” measures that will not be renewed next year.