Quebec’s Budget Calls for Increased Taxpayer Participation

Quebec's Budget Calls for Increased Taxpayer Participation

On March 30, 2010, the Quebec Finance Minister, Raymond Bachand, tabled Quebec's 2010-2011 budget in the National Assembly (Budget). The Budget sets out important measures that will increase provincial revenue or affect existing measures and programs. The Quebec government is maintaining its audacious goal of balancing the budget by fiscal year 2013‑2014.

It therefore comes as no surprise that individuals are affected by various measures, including the introduction of a health contribution of C$25 per adult beginning on July 1, 2010, C$100 per adult beginning in 2011 and C$200 per adult beginning in 2012. Also, the Quebec sales tax (7.5%), which is already slated to increase by 1% on January 1, 2011, will be increased by another percentage point on January 1, 2012. The fuel tax will also be raised in order to upgrade the road network and public transit services. The introduction of the health contribution