The Quebec government is putting some money back in people's pockets with mild tax cuts and by making the elimination of a health fee retroactive to last year.
Finance Minister Carlos Leitao's 2017-18 budget hikes the first income tax bracket that is exempt from tax to $14,890 from $11,635.
Leitao says the measures will mean savings of $200 for 2016 and another $255 this year for a person living alone with income of less than $45,000.
Leitao is projecting a third consecutive balanced budget in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.
The health sector, which accounts for almost 43 per cent of government spending, will also get more money.
The province is expecting economic growth of 1.7 per cent in 2017 and 1.6 per cent in 2018.
Here are some highlights:
- Projected surplus of $2.5 billion on total revenue of $106.3 billion; the money will go to debt reduction.
- Estimated gross debt of $210.8 billion as of March 31, 2018. That represents 52 per cent of gross domestic product, down from the projected 52.7 per cent as of March 31, 2017.
- Expected economic growth of 1.7 per cent in 2017 and 1.6 per cent in 2018.
- Elimination retroactive to 2016 of a health contribution for low and middle-class taxpayers.
- Increase in the basic personal tax exemption, resulting in an additional $55 for taxpayers.
- Hike of $2.4 billion to $91.1 billion for the province's 2017-27 infrastructure budget.
- Awarding of $36 million over five years to local and community print media, notably to help the sector succeed in its digital transformation.