Quebec in good financial shape as election nears, auditor general finds

Quebec's finances are in good shape and the Liberal government's budget estimates are "plausible,"according to the province's first-ever, pre-election report on the state of public financesreleased Monday.

The report is good news for the CouillardLiberals, whichare trailing in the polls and arehoping to put an emphasis on their economic track-record in the coming campaign.

Auditor GeneralGuylaineLeclercagreed with the Liberal forecast ofannual surpluses until 2021, where the surplus is projected toreach $3.4 billion.

At the same time, Quebec's debt will increase from $201 billion to $205 billion while representing a smaller percentage of the gross domestic product.

The report, based on a Marcheconomic update by the province's Finance Ministry, was made public in accordance with a2015 law that aimsto provide an objective portrait of the province's financial situation ahead of an election.

The auditor general reviewed 40 major budgetary processes carried out since fall 2015 as part of her analysis.

Uncertainties dot the horizon

Leclerc cautioned, however, thatthe growing trade war with the United States and Montreal's REM light-rail project could affect the projections.

The Liberals were quick to tout the report claiming it shows four years of improvement under its governance.

In a statement issued Monday, Finance Minister Carlos Leito said the report demonstrates that the province is in "good economic and fiscal health" and that improvements have been made since 2014.

Having the report in the days leading up to the election allows all parties to go into the campaign on "the same transparent, factual footing," said Leito.

"This is a great thing, since it will allow for a sound, respectful debate over our public finances."

The election campaign officially gets underway Aug. 23.

With files from Catou MacKinnon and Cathy Senay