QUEBEC, Nov. 5, 2026 — While the Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for Infrastructure, Mr. Nicolas Marceau, belatedly presented the Quebec government’s requests ahead of the 2026 federal budget, the Liberal opposition is highlighting two significant omissions that are crucial to supporting our economy and culture in the face of the trade war waged by Donald Trump. We hope to see these measures included in the 2026 federal budget to be presented later today.
The official opposition would like to:
- More predictable support for SMEs to break into new markets outside the United States, particularly through an expansion of the CANExport-SME program in the coming years (the program has been closed since August 31);
- Culture: The $600 million per year promised to the cultural sector to compensate for the elimination of the direct financial contributions that the government initially intended to impose on foreign platforms must be included in the budget.
These measures should complement the concrete actions that we are still waiting for the Quebec government to take to reduce the burden on our small and medium-sized businesses, further promote buying Quebec-made products, strengthen Quebec’s economic alliances within Canada, and diversify the markets accessible to local businesses.
It should be noted that the Quebec Liberal Party supports the Quebec government’s positions regarding raising the cap on health care transfers, reimbursing expenses incurred in 2024 for services provided to asylum seekers, and fully maintaining supply-side management.
“We have reviewed the Quebec government’s requests ahead of the federal budget. They reflect the Parti Québécois’s lack of planning and disorganization, and we’ve identified two significant omissions affecting our small and medium-sized businesses and the cultural sector. There is much to be done to revitalize Quebec. We have several ideas to propose, should the Parti Québécois need clear direction.”
– Charles Milliard, Leader of the official opposition
“When it comes to financial predictability, the PQ lacks credibility. The Quebec government has irresponsibly waited too long to submit its requests. Given the tariff war and the current budgetary situation, it must do everything in its power to revitalize our economy, restore a balanced budget, and improve our public services. In the short term, we expect the federal government to take targeted and effective measures to fully contribute to this recovery.”
– Frédéric Beauchemin, Official Opposition Critic for Finance and Revenue
