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Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette announced 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 spoke in Sherbooke, Que., Monday afternoon to announce a nearly $50 reduction in passenger vehicle registration fees and more funding for vulnerable people.
That’s in addition to a permanent provincial sales tax cut on certain groceries and hygiene items, starting July 15, which Fréchette confirmed in a speech to Coalition Avenir Québec party members Saturday, in a bid to reduce Quebecers’ bills at checkout.
“Thanks to these three measures, a family with two children, for example, will save nearly $350 this year. So, it is truly a package of measures aimed at reaching people in different ways,” Fréchette said.
The reduced vehicle registration fees would impact 4.9 million vehicles in Quebec and cost about $245 million, Finance Minister Eric Girard confirmed Monday afternoon in Sherbrooke, Que.
Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette announced three new measures to help Quebecers tackle the rising cost of living, including cutting the provincial tax on certain products at grocery stores and pharmacies. Since being sworn in six weeks ago, Fréchette has exceeded the $250-million fund allocated to her by the finance minister.
The province’s automobile insurance board will automatically apply the lower fees, starting Sept. 1, Fréchette said.
Quebecers with modest incomes who receive the solidarity tax credit can expect to receive a direct deposit of up to $200 in additional support as of June 4.
Single individuals will receive $100, while single-parent households and couples without children will receive $150 and couples with children will get $200, Fréchette said.
Overshooting $250M fund
Over the weekend, the premier had to defend her spending after a Radio-Canada report revealed Girard had warned Fréchette earlier this month that she would surpass the $250-million fund allocated to her.
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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 — $86 million more than originally budgeted.
At the announcement in Sherbrooke, Girard said the $86 million could be easily absorbed with the increase in revenue and federal transfers.
“The financial framework of the 2026–27 budget remains relevant. It is still solid,” Girard said, noting that a pre-election report would be issued in August.
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.
