Quebec unimpressed with infrastructure investments in federal budget

Finance Minister Eric Girard responds to the opposition during question period in Quebec City on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

The CAQ government expressed its dissatisfaction on Wednesday with the infrastructure investments in Quebec included in the federal budget tabled on Tuesday.

Premier François Legault nevertheless applauded the planned defence spending—$73 billion between now and 2030—arguing that Quebec could build submarines and fighter jets, among other things.

In terms of infrastructure, Quebec expects to receive $375 million in new money per year for 10 years, which is considered insufficient compared to the CAQ government’s annual infrastructure budget of $19 billion.

Ottawa responded that it was making historic investments in culture and that this would particularly benefit Quebec.

Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard communicated his disappointment directly to his counterpart, François-Philippe Champagne, during an exchange on Wednesday morning.

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For his part, Legault welcomed Ottawa’s massive investments in defence, hoping that Quebec companies would get their share.

“It will take fighter jets, drones, ships, icebreakers, submarines, all things that we are capable of manufacturing in Quebec,” he argued during question period, denouncing Quebec Solidaire (QS), which opposes investments in armaments.

The Davie shipyard in Lévis has built Coast Guard vessels, but no submarines, while Ottawa has selected only two suppliers to renew its fleet, one in Korea and one in Germany.

However, it was announced this week that Bombardier was in talks with Swedish manufacturer Saab to build fighter jets, but for Ukraine.

Quebec’s lieutenant in the Carney government, Minister Steven Guilbeault, said that complaining about federal investments is a “national sport” in Quebec, pointing out that Ottawa has made historic commitments to culture.

In terms of infrastructure, “the scale of what is being done is insufficient; we expected more,” Girard said at a press conference, noting that the economic context is “difficult,” but acknowledging that Ottawa’s direction “is the right one.”

The minister started with the federal government’s $115 billion in infrastructure spending over five years, which includes a $51 billion envelope for the provinces and territories, of which “only” $23 billion is new money that was not already planned, he lamented.

Of this amount, $17 billion is earmarked for public infrastructure over 10 years, which, according to Girard’s estimates, equates to $375 million per year for Quebec over 10 years.

“You understand that this is insufficient,” he argued.

However, Champagne pointed out that, for the first time, Ottawa would be investing in health infrastructure at Quebec’s request, representing $5 billion over three years, Girard reported.

For her part, Municipal Affairs Minister Geneviève Guilbault wants to conclude negotiations with Ottawa on the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund before rejoicing.

Quebec must be able to decide unconditionally how the funds are allocated, she said.

“There are hundreds of millions of dollars at stake for the Quebec government, for housing infrastructure in our various regions and communities,” she said.

Girard must now prepare his economic and budget update based in part on the federal budget. He is expected to present it in the coming weeks, but the date has not yet been announced.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 5, 2025.

By Patrice Bergeron, The Canadian Press