Staring at a $4.5-billion deficit for 2010-2011 on revenues of $64.5 billion, Quebec Finance Minister Raymond Bachand is asking businesses and individuals alike to pitch in and help line the province's coffers.

Quebec's service fees and tax hikes will increase the cost of living:

  • A family of four earning $70,000 will pay $650 more in 2011, and $1,250 more in 2012.
  • A single person earning $40,000 will pay $365 more in 2011, and $1,250 more in 2012.
  • Higher taxes at the gas pump mean it will cost drivers more to fill up.

"Nothing we expect the government to provide is free," Bachand said in his budget speech, presented Tuesday afternoon.

The budget eliminates funding for 28 provincial agencies, and includes measures for program reviews and salary freezes in the public sector.

Quebec has more debt than any other Canadian province, equal to 53 per cent of its GDP.

Key budget points include:

Annual health-care fees

  • $25 in 2010.
  • $100 in 2011.
  • $200 in 2012.

Provincial sales tax (QST)

  • One per cent increase on Jan 1, 2011.
  • One per cent increase on Jan 1, 2012.
  • Will total 15 per cent, combined with GST, by 2012.

Increasing the sales tax will generate an additional $400 million in 2010-2011, $1.9 billion in 2011-2012 and $3.1 billion in 2012-2013.

Fuel tax:

  • $0.01 a litre tax, with a yearly increase (April 1, 2010 - April 1, 2013).