Quebec Liberals promise prudence, 4 more years of balanced budgets

The Couillard Liberals say they willstay the course and exercise "prudence" if re-elected Oct. 1.

In its financial framework released this morning, the party promised four more years of balanced budgets, despite some $2.4 billion in election promises.

Philippe Couillard'd party is banking onslightly higherprojected GDP growth than agreed to by the auditor general in apre-election financial reportreleased last month.

The party says it would boost its education and heath budgets by a minimum of four per cent and 4.2 per cent, respectively, over the course of its mandate.

Both sectors saw deep cuts in the first years of the Couillardgovernment's first term.

"Thanks to the actions we have taken, the house is in order, public finances are healthy and balanced and we can look tothe future with confidence," Couillardsaid.

Liberals emphasize economic track record

The Liberal leader has tried to emphasize his party's economic track record during the election campaign. His government has delivered four consecutive balanced budgets.

He said aLiberal government would also put $2 billion toward the debt annually.

Couillard said the biggest risks to growth are theeconomic uncertainty due to the tense trade negotiations with the United States and the province's labour shortage.

The Coalition Avenir Qubecreleased its "responsible"financial plan on the weekend. The CAQcommitted to4.1 per cent growth in the health sector annuallyand 3.5 per cent in education.

CAQ LeaderFranoisLegaultalso said his party would pay off $10 billion of the provincial debt before the end of March 2019, andput $1.7 billion back into thewallets of Quebecers annually, primarily through allocations to families and a reduction in school taxes.

The Parti Qubcoisis expected to release its plan Thursday.

With files from The Canadian Press

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