Find out what the Quebec budget could mean for you with this detailed breakdown of some of the highlights.

Highlights for the economy:

  • A new stock savings plan with major tax breaks to promote investment in Quebec public companies.
  • An increase from $1 billion to $1.5 billion for skills and training.
  • A $500-million emergency fund set up with the FTQ Solidarity Fund and the Société générale de financement.
  • An $825-million fund to finance venture capital funds in partnership with the Caisse de dépôt et financement du Québec and the FTQ Solidarity Fund.
  • $65 million more for the forestry sector.
  • $125 million for three new funds to finance new high-tech businesses.

Highlights for families:

  • An improved tax credit to help with the cost of unsubsidized private child care.
  • An increase to $9,000 from $7,000 in the amount for the child care tax credit for children 7 years and under.
  • A goal of reaching 220,000 $7-a-day daycare spaces by the end of 2010.
  • $1.5 billion funding increase (5.7 per cent) for health to develop more family medicine clinics.

Highlights for the environment:

  • A $500 million capital expenditure program for the installation of bioenergy production.
  • Tougher energy efficiency standards for new and renovated buildings.
  • A portion of gas tax revenues to be dedicated to public transit infrastructure.
  • A refundable tax credit for the purchase or lease of new green vehicles.
  • Development of the hydrocarbon industry.

Other highlights:

  • A 3.5 per cent increase ($490 million) in education spending for programs addressing the dropout rate.
  • $3 million for artists for international travel to make up for cuts to similar federal program.

Plan to get back to a balanced budget:

  • Increase government revenues with a one per cent hike in the Quebec Sales Tax as of Jan. 1, 2011.
  • Index user fees to the rate of inflation as of Jan. 1, 2011, with daycare the only exception.
  • Limit spending growth to 3.2 per cent as of 2010-2011.
  • Hunt down tax evaders.
  • Continued investment in the long-term Generations Fund with $715 million addition this year.