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QUEBEC

The government intends to pursue its austerity agenda even if it means taking a hit in public opinion, Premier Philippe Couillard said Thursday.

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“Change is always difficult,” Couillard said when asked if his government will pay a political price for its sweeping reform, retool and rethink agenda to reduce costs. “I would blame myself if, after four years, I had shied away from difficult decisions.

“I’m not doing this for myself. I have kids from 23 to 30 years old. I’m going to be a grandfather for a first time. I’m not going to leave them Quebec the way it is in terms of its public finances. I will preserve what makes us a better society, a more equitable society.

Couillard made the comments on the same day as he announced increases in daycare fees, the latest component in his plan to wrestle Quebec’s financial crisis to the ground by increasing revenues.

On Friday, the government will table its quarterly financial results, which will show again just where the province stands financially. And on Dec. 2, Finance Minister Carlos Leitão will present an economic update that is expected to increase items like tobacco taxes at the same time as slash business investments credits.