Quebec’s new budget focuses on maintaining core services like health and education, with no flashy big-ticket spending ahead of a fall general election.

Gone are the recent years of tax cuts and government cheques of hundreds of dollars to Quebec households.

Instead, Finance Minister Eric Girard says his budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year reflects persistent economic uncertainty, primarily due to the trade conflict with the United States.

The $170.8-billion budget projects a deficit of $8.6-billion, a number that includes a $2-billion contingency reserve and a $2.3-billion legally required payment into a fund to repay the province’s debt.