Quebec faces $2B budget cut requirement to balance books, auditor general says
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Quebec's next government must implement at least $2 billion in budget cuts annually starting next year to achieve a balanced budget.
- This is according to the Quebec auditor general's analysis of the 2026 pre-election report.
- The government must also eliminate a $1.85 billion shortfall and adhere to the Balanced Budget Act, which requires the deficit to be eliminated by 2029-30.
Quebec's incoming government faces a significant fiscal challenge, needing to enact budget cuts totaling at least $2 billion annually to balance the books, according to the province's auditor general. This stark assessment comes from the auditor's analysis of the 2026 pre-election report.
Auditor General Christine Roy stated that the government must "tighten its belt" for several years to comply with the Balanced Budget Act. This legislation mandates the elimination of the deficit by the 2029-30 fiscal year. The report also highlights the need for a $3 billion effort in the 2028-29 fiscal year.
Beyond the annual cuts, the government must also address a substantial $1.85 billion shortfall. The auditor general concluded that achieving the government's planned budget targets will be a considerable challenge, underscoring the fiscal pressures ahead.
government will have to tighten its belt for several years to comply with the Balanced Budget Act
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Global News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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