QUEBEC - Finance Minister Eric Girard tabled the Coalition Avenir Quebec government’s first budget on Thursday. Here are some highlights: — Balanced books for the fifth straight year in Quebec, with a forecast surplus of $2.5 billion on total revenue of $115.6 billion, including $24.9 billion in federal transfers. — Expected economic growth of 1.8 per cent in 2019 and 1.5 per cent in 2020, down from 2.3 per cent in 2018. The cost to the province is set at $200 million in 2019-20. The program will cost $21 million in 2019-20, rising to $124 million in 2021-22.

Source: thestar March 21, 2019 20:03 UTC