Quebec defends decision to cut inflation checks and ask Ottawa for more health funds

Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard is defending his government’s decision to transfer one-time cash payments to most Quebecers while it demands more money from Ottawa for health care.

Girard told reporters in Quebec City the payments of up to $600 will help Quebecers deal with temporary inflation, adding that health care is a recurring cost that needs stable, long-term funding.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized provinces that are seeking more money from Ottawa for health care while spending billions of dollars in inflation-related payments or tax cuts.

Trudeau was also referring to New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, whose government is asking for more health-care funding and also cutting taxes for high earners.

All 13 provincial and territorial premiers are asking Ottawa to increase its share of health-care costs to 35 per cent from 22 per cent.

“Healthcare is a responsibility of the Quebec government. We have a plan, Minister Dubé has been quite clear: increase employment, improve infrastructures, better data, better technology. We have a plan. We will fund this plan no matter what the federal government does,” assured Girard. “We will assume our responsibility. Healthcare is a responsibility of the government of Quebec. What is undeniable is that the proportion of the funding for healthcare that is assumed by the federal government has gone down over time and will continue to go down.”

Quebecers to get those promised checks before Christmas, says CAQ

The 6.5 million Quebecers who earned less than $100,000 in 2021 are set to receive payments of $400 or $600 in December, and the province has also promised income tax cuts in 2023.

“We trust Quebecers. We believe that Quebecers know best what’s important to them. They will decide whether they will pay their credit card, spend it on food, additional transportation. We really believe that Quebecers are the best to determine what to do with this cost-of-living adjustment,” said Girard. “So, rather than decide for them, for example to lower full taxes, like some have suggested, we really think that they will decide whether they’re in a position to save it, reduce their debt or will need to spend it immediately because they have immediate needs.”

The $600 checks will go to people who earned less than $50,000 in 2021, and the $400 checks will go to those who earned between $50,000 and less than $100,000 in 2021.

In confirming the news, Minister Girard tweeted, “Inflation affects all Quebecers. To help them, we will give back between $400 and $600 starting in December to those whose annual income does not exceed $100,000. It is an important commitment. We will continue to help citizens cope with the rising cost of living.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9, 2022.