Quebec’s election campaign on its fourth day continues to emphasize affordability, with the Parti Québécois (PQ) diverging by highlighting the protection of the French language. The PQ proposes extending the Charter of the French Language, also known as Bill 101, to include CEGEPs and the children of temporary immigrants in Quebec for over a year.
The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) under Christine Fréchette aims to achieve a balanced budget by 2030 despite facing a $6 billion deficit. Their election commitments over the next four years are estimated to cost nearly $10 billion, with initial promises including $1 billion for home care services, housing support for seniors, and $304 million for regional aid. The CAQ plans to sustain investments in public infrastructure amidst challenges posed by new tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, deferring tax cuts until budget equilibrium is attained.
Québec Solidaire (QS), led by Ruba Ghazal, criticizes the CAQ’s handling of the housing crisis while unveiling a comprehensive housing strategy that includes measures like creating a rental unit registry, preventing evictions, regulating Airbnb units, and addressing homelessness through a national strategy. Ghazal promises further financial details within a forthcoming fiscal framework.
Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard vows to limit rent increases at private seniors’ residences by shifting the burden of proof to the residence when proposing hikes above the cap, ensuring residents’ rights are protected without compromising care services. The Quebec Liberals highlight an 18% rise in private home care rent over the last four years.
The Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) led by Éric Duhaime announces plans to eliminate the Quebec sales tax on used goods like second-hand clothing, projecting an average saving of $867 per individual. This move is part of the party’s strategy to reduce government spending by $47 billion over five years without affecting public services, with estimated savings of $11,000 per household over the same period.
Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon reaffirms plans to expand Bill 101 to CEGEPs and children of long-term temporary immigrants, citing a linguistic crisis in Quebec due to the CAQ’s immigration policies. St-Pierre Plamondon advocates for stricter French language requirements for work permits and proposes an inquiry into student socialization language in Montreal and Laval schools, emphasizing the importance of French language preservation in Quebec’s identity.