In a bid to stimulate a sluggish economy, Pauline Marois has recently announced a $2 billion plan in the hopes of creating 43,000 jobs by 2017. Combined with other already released measures, the PQ expects to see a total of 115,000 new jobs over the next four years.
Called “Putting Jobs First”, the PQ creates the fund hoping to lure investors into the province with such incentives as inexpensive electricity. The government claims it will generate over $1.6 billion in revenues by selling surpluses of hydro-electricity at a discount for natural resource and green technology businesses, among others.
Marois also pledges to create jobs by modernizing schools, community centers, recreational facilities and parks, in addition to introducing up to $10,000 in tax credits for home renovations. In fact, the Finance Ministry estimates that 23,000 households will benefit from a 20 per cent “green renovation” credit.
An investment into an electric transit industry in Quebec is also said to fund employment. The project will need $600 million for the development of a provincial electric car-sharing system and for an electric railway and its infrastructure.
In total, Quebec estimates its new policies will attract over $13 billion in investments into the economy within the next 10 years.
The proposal is unveiled while staggering figures show a somber reality. Francois Legault, Coalition Avenir Quebec leader, notes that 45,000 jobs have been lost in the province since January. Yet, the PQ has only created 5,000 new jobs since being elected last year.
Meanwhile, opposition party members are questioning the strategy’s intention while rumors of possible elections are looming over the province.
Québec Solidaire’s Amir Khadir told the CBC the plan “is just propaganda before an election.”