The Government of Quebec announced its Québec Budget Plan – March 2023, which provides for investments totalling more than $24 billion over the next five years, including $7.5 billion over 10 years for the Québec Infrastructure Plan (QIP).
To meet Québec’s significant public infrastructure needs, the 2023-2033 QIP is increased to $150 billion, or $15 billion per year on average. According to the province, these historic investments will significantly improve the quality of our infrastructure and meet transportation, health and education needs throughout Québec.
To make sure all Quebecers have efficient, accessible transit services and infrastructure, the government is providing $722 million over six years to ensure continued mobility of people and supply to communities, as well as to invest in effective and safe land transportation infrastructure. Of this amount, $400 million will support the recovery of public transit, while $200 million will be used to support the municipal sector in maintaining and improving the local road network.
“Today, I am presenting Quebecers with a prudent and responsible financial framework. A return to a balanced budget and the continued reduction of the debt burden are essential to achieving our ambitions. We are committed to building a prosperous and green Québec, with a more effective and humane health care system and a school system that will provide our young people with all the tools they need to succeed. We will accomplish all this by reducing the tax burden of Quebecers.” said Eric Girard, Quebec Minister of Finance.
Hoping to see substantial increases in imminent road investments, along with the $150 billion Quebec Investment Plan (PQI) for 2023-2033, Bitume Québec, representing the asphalt and road maintenance industry, believes that Quebec will at least be able to maintain the relative health of the Quebec road network, although the concept of recurring investments in preventive road maintenance is not yet part of the administrative practices, contrary to the practices in Ontario, New Brunswick and several northeastern American states. Investment and spending in the transportation sector will total $47.7 billion by 2032. “We’ll have to see how the road sector is funded before we can claim victory,” said Tytus Zurawski, president of Bitume Québec.
“We hope that the Legault government realizes that our national road network is the backbone of Quebec’s economy and regional growth,”Zurawski added, saying he believes the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility’s (MTMDQ) 32,000 kilometers of roads will begin to reflect the effects of this new investment strategy in the short and medium term.
Featured image: National Assembly of Quebec.
