Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette announced that the government will refund the welcome tax for first-time homebuyers, up to a maximum of $5,875. She made the announcement during a press conference Friday afternoon in Laval. Specifically, the first $5,000 will be fully refunded. The refundable tax credit will then be 25 per cent for an additional $875. To be eligible, the purchase price must be less than $1 million. The credit is also gradually reduced for properties priced between $750,000 and $1 million. The measure is retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year. The government estimates that the measure will cost $140 million annually and would benefit 38,000 first-time homebuyers each year, providing an average of $3,700 per household. The premier visited Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa earlier on Friday. Fréchette gave a positive assessment of the meeting, saying she was “reassured” regarding the notwithstanding clause, which she intended to defend “tooth and nail.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 17, 2026. Caroline Plante, The Canadian Press
