It is crystal clear to me that the new PQ minority government does not know what it’s doing.  After backtracking on promises made on a campaign that didn’t get them a majority, they have tabled a budget that cannot be supported by the CAQ or the Liberals if they stick to their guns. 

Francois Legualt insisted that all 19 members of the right-of-centre party would be present in the national assembly to vote against the budget unless major amendments are made, particularly the income-tax hike on those who earn more than $100,000.  "If it brings us to an election, then it brings us to an election.''  I agree with Mr. Legault.  A 1.75% increase on those earning over 100,000 dollars or almost 2000 dollars out of their pocket, out of the economy and  going to government waste, to corruption, to generous pensions, more social programs that we either don’t want or worse, don’t do what they claim.  

Interim Liberal leader Jean-Marc Fournier said “It’s a budget that disappoints everyone, but to vote against it sparking another election at a cost of $100 million seems to us irresponsible and abusive.”  What’s abusive to me are the tax increases on an already highly taxed population and the guesses at balancing the budget.  Interest rates are going up, it's irresponsible to wait on the ever growing debt. (see below).

The new government wants to spend more on social programs and claims they will balance the budget over the next year.  How?  The price of a carton of 200 cigarettes will climb by $4. The measure is expected to bring in an additional $130 million in 2013-14.  It won’t bring in expected revenues it will drive smokers to the black market. 

Taxing those making over 100,000 dollars a year another 1.75 percent puts those contributing Quebecers thousands of dollars behind our Ontario neighbours. Don’t blame language for any departures from the province that might bring and I wonder how many people will it attract to the province? 

Another budget gem is that Hydro-Quebec will lose 2,000 jobs through attrition.  Another assumption.  That tactic has not helped as much as predicted with the size of the Quebec civil service. 

Where they might do well is increasing the tax on booze because this improvising is driving me to drink.  Allow me an assumption, I can’t be alone.  Three cents more for a bottle of beer, a bottle of wine 17 cents more and a bottle of spirits 26 cents more, the government expects can bring an extra $100 million, or about what an election would cost. 

For that to happen the opposition would have to keep their promises and their principals and not support this budget.  Pour me another drink.