Quebec could have a $ 15 billion deficit

Quebec could have a $ 15 billion deficit

The COVID-19 pandemic will have major consequences on Quebec’s public finances, according to Premier François Legault.

In his daily press briefing on Tuesday, he said that the financial deficit could reach $ 15 billion.

Legault was also not surprised by the jump in the unemployment rate, which climbed to 17% for the month of April in Quebec. He said the rate jumped due to the slow down of economic activities. Nor is he alarmed by the fact that Quebec has a rate higher than the Canadian average and that of Ontario.

Quebec now has 39,225 confirmed cases of COVID-19. In Outaouais, there are 354, but none have been observed in the MRC Pontiac. The death toll stands at 3,131 in Quebec (8 in Outaouais).

To learn more about the coronavirus, the population is invited to consult Québec.ca/coronavirus. Information can be obtained using the coronavirus line at 819 644-4545 or 1 877 644-4545 (toll free).