The last Legault budget continues the slow decline of Quebec
Suffice to say, something needs to be done in Quebec now, not later– a failing health care system, roads that don’t work, all while being in a global emergency and a backsliding democratic state– these could snowball into a true state of emergency.
The final CAQ budget is a eulogy to a government that the majority of Quebecers didn’t want.
In 2022, a supermajority was won by the CAQ with a minority of votes. With 41 per cent of the vote, they won 72 per cent of the seats. With this mandate, they have implemented a series of draconian laws and allowed Quebec’s social system to rapidly degrade.
Transit infrastructure is now in an extremely poor state: As of March 2026, 46 per cent of Montreal Metro assets are classified as being in "poor" or "very poor" condition (City News). Still, our roads are even worse.
More than 50 per cent of our roads are in a state of disrepair. 76 per cent of road network investments are technically earmarked for "maintenance," much of this is consumed by cost overruns rather than increasing the total percentage of roads in "good" condition (Bullet Proof Logistics)
Over 50% of school buildings in Quebec are currently graded D or E in their state of repair (Radio Canada). Despite knowing this, the CAQ tried to cut $570 million from the education budget last year, and wound up cutting $30 million (CBC).
The health care system is even worse off. As of early 2026, 38 per cent of the province's 594 hospital buildings are rated as "poor" (Grade D) or "very poor" (Grade E) (CBC).
Almost all of this infrastructure was originally constructed in the 60s and 70s. Since the 90s, every Quebec government has implemented austerity measures, and allowed our infrastructure to degrade into the current state.
Instead of offering to tax the wealthiest Quebecers, the province says that the budget is “sober.” All of the deficit could be paid off with wealth taxes. Instead, every government prefers to help the decline of Quebec.
The government won’t tax the wealthy, which would eliminate the deficits and pay for infrastructure. Instead, they’re letting Quebecers pay for these failings at the cost of their health and well being.
Let’s break down the major points of this budget, and really get into the mathematical weeds.
