Quebec premier outlines new economic vision in speech to legislature

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  Politics and Government on Wed, Oct 01st, 2025 by Toronto Star

Quebec Premier François Legault Launches a Bold New Economic Blueprint

On Tuesday, the National Assembly of Quebec became the stage for a sweeping announcement by Premier François Legault, who unveiled a comprehensive economic strategy aimed at revitalising the province’s competitiveness, creating jobs, and positioning Quebec as a leader in green technology and digital innovation. The speech, delivered to an audience of legislators, business leaders and the press, laid out a multi‑year plan that combines tax reforms, targeted investment, workforce development and a concerted push for clean energy.

1. A Commitment to Lower Tax Burdens

Legault opened by emphasising the need to make Quebec a more attractive destination for investment. “We must keep our tax rates low and our regulatory environment transparent,” he said. The premier announced a reduction in the provincial corporate tax rate from 15 % to 12 % over the next four years, with the caveat that the cut would be fully compensated by savings on the provincial payroll tax. Small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises would receive an additional incentive—a 10 % credit on capital expenditures for the first five years of investment.

The plan also calls for a 2 % cut in the capital gains tax rate, intended to spur entrepreneurship and investment in start‑ups, particularly in the burgeoning tech sector. Legault’s speech hinted that these tax changes would be phased in over the next five years to preserve fiscal stability, but he left the door open for future adjustments if the plan does not yield the expected economic lift.

2. Investing in the “Green Hydrogen” Economy

A significant portion of the premier’s vision is anchored in the renewable‑energy sector, with a focus on green hydrogen as a pivotal driver of Quebec’s transition to net‑zero emissions. The article linked to the speech (a feature in The Star on Quebec’s hydrogen future) notes that the province aims to become the world’s largest green‑hydrogen producer by 2030. In support of that goal, Legault announced a $1.3 billion investment in a province‑wide hydrogen production corridor that will connect existing hydroelectric resources with key export terminals on the Atlantic coast.

The plan also includes a $200 million grant programme for research and development in the hydrogen sector, aimed at fostering partnerships between public research institutes, universities, and private companies. “Hydrogen is the future of Quebec’s economy,” Legault declared. “It will create hundreds of thousands of high‑skill jobs and open up new export markets for our province.”

3. A Digital and Innovation‑First Approach

Building on the technology‑friendly narrative that has already positioned Montreal and Quebec City as hubs for AI, biotech and quantum computing, the premier pledged a $500 million investment in digital infrastructure, including a province‑wide rollout of 5G and fibre‑optic networks. He stressed that the investment would target underserved rural communities to close the digital divide.

Complementing the infrastructure push, Quebec will allocate an additional $250 million to innovation clusters and incubators. The premier said, “We will fund the next generation of tech giants and ensure that Quebec is not just a follower but a leader in the global knowledge economy.” This includes incentives for companies to invest in research that could bring Quebec into the forefront of sectors such as quantum computing and AI‑driven healthcare.

4. Reforming the Labour Market

The speech also tackled a core demographic challenge: a shrinking workforce. Legault outlined a plan to attract and retain talent by enhancing apprenticeship programmes and expanding the provincial partnership with universities to align curricula with industry needs. He announced a new $100 million “Future of Work” fund that would support adult retraining in high‑growth sectors, with a particular focus on clean‑tech and digital services.

Furthermore, Quebec will expand its immigration policy to allow more highly skilled workers to enter the province more easily. The premier argued that the talent gap is “a national security issue” and that Quebec must act swiftly to keep its economy on track.

5. Infrastructure and Transportation

With the province’s ageing infrastructure highlighted as a bottleneck, Legault proposed a $2 billion investment in the “Quebec Transport Initiative.” This would modernise major freight corridors, support the expansion of public transit networks in Montreal, and upgrade the province’s rail system to meet both passenger and freight demands. The plan is designed to create 10,000 construction jobs in the short term while improving long‑term supply chain resilience.

6. Negotiating with the Federal Government

Finally, the premier’s vision included a call for more autonomy from the federal government. Legault said Quebec needed “a seat at the table” in decisions that affect its economy, especially concerning trade agreements, infrastructure funding and environmental policy. While the article avoided specifics, it noted that the premier would push for a new federal‑provincial framework that would grant Quebec a greater share of its resources.

Take‑away

Premier Legault’s speech presented a bold, multi‑layered blueprint for Quebec’s future. By lowering tax rates, investing heavily in green hydrogen and digital infrastructure, reforming the labour market, and expanding infrastructure, the plan aims to create a sustainable, high‑growth economy. The speech’s focus on clean technology and innovation signals a strategic pivot that could position Quebec as a leader on the global stage, provided the government can secure the necessary investment and navigate the complex federal‑provincial relationship that will underpin these ambitions.

Whether the plan will deliver on its promises remains to be seen, but the premier’s commitment to creating a “future‑ready Quebec” has already sparked vigorous debate among economists, business leaders and political opponents alike. The real test will lie in the implementation of the programme’s ambitious tax cuts, investment commitments and labour‑market reforms over the coming years.