Quebec Liberals unveil tight on spending budget

Liberals promise Quebec's 2015 budget, tabled today, will help to "better deliver services at a better price," with balanced books and no tax hike.

But it's a plan that will only work if the economy continues to grow and the government can continue its tight control over public spending.

Spending cuts are at the heart of the $100-billion budget delivered by Finance MinisterCarlosLeitaothis afternoon in the National Assembly.

The reduction in spending won't come from direct program slashing, but rather in anticipated and aggressive belt-tightening in some of the government's largest departments: health, social services and education.

"This control of spending, confirmed in recent months, is the result of a collective effortof allQuebecers," saidLeitao.

"The return to a balanced budget is not the end. Quite the opposite, in fact, it is a point of departure and gives new momentum to Quebec."

For months, the provincial government has pushed forward with its zero deficit mission by targeting what it called inefficiencies in the way the government administers and delivers services, and handles other expenses including the cost of the public sector payroll.

Today,Quebecerslearned just what that will look like financially.

Overall, spending growth will be capped at 1.5 per cent in 2015-16, a low ceiling the likes of which hasnt been seen since LucienBouchardwas in power in 1998.

Education will see an increase of only 0.2 per cent, which, after inflation is factored in, essentially amounts to a cut.

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Quebec Liberals unveil tight on spending budget

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