In Focus > 2022-2023 provincial budget plan and benefits for RCCAQ members
In his speech on March 22, Quebec’s finance minister, Éric Girard, unveiled the 2022-2023 budget, i.e. the last provincial budget prior to the provincial election scheduled for October 3.
As we all know, the past two years have been marked by an unprecedented public health crisis that has impacted Quebec’s public finances. Now that the worst of the pandemic appears to be behind us, inflationary pressures are increasing the cost of living significantly. This is the hot-button issue that the provincial government is seeking to tackle on a priority basis in this year’s budget.
For example, Mr. Girard announced direct public assistance to ease the consequences of the rising cost of living. A $500 cheque will be sent out to over 6.4 million Quebecers, representing an expenditure of $3.2 billion. Above and beyond this high-profile measure, the 2022-2023 budget provides for $22 billion in new spending over the next five years, most notably in the healthcare field. Mr. Girard is still on course for a return to a balanced budget in fiscal 2027-2028.
Benefits for RCCAQ members
The labour situation in Quebec has been quite variable over the past two years, but one issue is still with us: there is a shortage of qualified workers. In recent months, the RCCAQ has been putting pressure on the provincial government to maintain custom-tailored requalification programs. Following the 2022-2023 budget announcement, we are pleased to note that these programs will still be funded: the government has earmarked $179 million over the next two years to support worker requalification and labour market integration.
In addition, by 2026-2027, $135.2 million will be allocated to program modernization with a view to growing the pool of skilled and qualified trade workers. For the time being, no sectors have been prioritized. The RCCAQ will try to have the insurance industry included in this initiative in its discussions with the government over the next few weeks, particularly during our lobbying day in Quebec City on May 10.
In other news, the provincial government will be allocating $290.2 million over five years to facilitate immigrants’ labour market integration and to preserve French as Quebec’s common language. Measures will be taken to:
2022-2023 budget highlights
Among the measures announced by Quebec’s finance minister last week, the following highlights are particularly noteworthy:
$1.1 billion to strengthen community-based initiatives and $1.1 billion in community support.