Legault says he will promise Quebecers more money during election campaign

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Premier François Legault said Friday he intends to again promise Quebecers more money during the campaign for this fall’s election.

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While in the Eastern Townships for a sports infrastructure announcement, the premier was asked about inflation and, more specifically, the soaring gas prices that exceeded $2 per liter earlier in the day.

Legault answered by repeating he has no intention of freezing rates or reducing the provincial gas tax, a measure he says would be unfair and bad for the environment.

Then he recalled his government had successively given $200 to people with an income of less than $50,000, $400 to people 70 and older, and then $500 to all people with an income of less than $100,000 a year.

“And I’m announcing that there’s an election campaign coming up, and the CAQ has always been the champion of the wallet,” Legault said. “We were the only ones in 2018 to promise (Quebecers) money.”

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The premier added that during his first term, his government has improved family allowances, reduced school taxes and the price of parking at hospitals, and brought back a single rate in CPE daycares.

“We delivered the goods and now, as for the next steps, there are still a few months to go, but there will obviously be election platforms and I think we must continue to put money back into Quebecers’ wallets,” Legault continued. “Because inflation is indeed at a high level. It’s very high — exceptionally high.”

Legault added labor shortages have given employees the chance to negotiate higher wages, which he called “good news for workers.”

He said the shortages have forced the government to offer generous incentives to recruit essential health and education workers, but acknowledged that for the private sector, “there are businesses where it’s going to be more difficult.”