‘Major concerns’ as Quebec groups react to 2025-2026 budget

It was a mixed bag of reactions for Quebec groups after the deficit record-setting budget for 2025-26.

The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government tabled its 2025–2026 budget on Tuesday.

The Canadian Press has gathered various reactions to Quebec’s budget announcement.

Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)

“Given the scale of this crisis, the government must take strong action and reduce barriers hindering SME productivity. The CFIB notes a shift in approach, as SMEs are now on the agenda compared to the last two years (…). The SME Plan 2025–2028 is an encouraging direction that we will monitor closely. However, we remain the province with the heaviest and most unfair tax burden for small businesses in the country.” — François Vincent, Quebec vice-president of CFIB

Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ)

“Amid uncertainty over tariffs, the enhancement of tax measures for businesses sends a signal that the government wants to encourage companies to invest here, while most projects remain on hold (…). Public contract rules must be revised so that our regional businesses can access the $11 billion in infrastructure investments. Additionally, companies must be allowed to retain the temporary foreign workers they need to keep the economy running.” — Véronique Proulx, president and CEO of FCCQ

Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec (RJCCQ)

“The tariff context has pushed the Quebec government to implement targeted emergency measures that seem adapted to various business challenges. However, a tax cut would have had a greater impact for our SMEs. This should not distract us from the structural issues threatening our economy in the long term, such as business succession and low productivity.” — Pierre Graff, president and CEO of RJCCQ

Montreal Chamber of Commerce

“We welcome Minister Girard’s approach of accelerating depreciation for innovation and productivity investments, which will encourage businesses to invest while protecting their cash flow. We also support the decision to maintain a trajectory toward balanced budgets within five years, although we recognize that a worsening business environment could force the government to adjust this target.” — Michel Leblanc, president and CEO of the Montreal Chamber of Commerce

Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM)

“I acknowledge the Quebec government’s willingness to support our entrepreneurs and contribute to the economic vitality of the metropolitan region. However, the budget overlooks major issues that are central to the region’s economic strength and directly impact residents’ quality of life: public transit, housing, climate resilience, and the response to the crisis of vulnerabilities affecting all cities.” — Valérie Plante, mayor of Montreal and president of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal

Trajectoire Québec

“The Quebec government is still trying to catch up with Ontario, but this budget will instead widen the gap to our disadvantage. While Ontario invests 70 per cent of its transportation budget in public transit, Quebec is doing the opposite—allocating 70 per cent to roads and only 30 per cent to public transit.” — Philippe Jacques, co-executive director and spokesperson for Trajectoire Québec

Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE)

“The budget presented today jeopardizes the maintenance of current services. School service centres will have to make cuts in several areas to comply with government restrictions. It is unthinkable that this will not affect services for students, further increasing teachers’ workload.” — Mélanie Hubert, president of FAE

Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ)

“The Collège des médecins takes note of the $1.2 billion allocated in the Girard budget and the $300 million recovered by Santé Quebec to offset the $1.5-billion cuts in the health and social services network (…). However, this year’s three per cent increase and next year’s two per cent increase in health spending amount, at best, to a funding freeze. This is a major concern for us.” — Collège des médecins du Québec on Bluesky

Canadian Council of Innovators (CCI)

“Overall, this budget positions innovation as a government priority, and we look forward to closely collaborating with the government to make local innovators a key driver of Quebec’s economic growth (…). However, one area where we would have liked more concrete action is procurement. Government purchases are one of the most powerful levers to support local businesses.” — Jean-François Harvey, Quebec director of CCI

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 25, 2025.