Quebec’s Spending Saw Highest Level on Record at Over $15K per Person in 2021: Study

Study Finds Quebec’s Per Capita Spending Reached Record High of Over $15,000 in 2021

March 3, 2024 TruthUSA

Per-person spending by the Quebec government reached its peak in 2021, with Premier François Legault surpassing the spending records of all his predecessors since 1965, according to a new study by the Fraser Institute.

The study, published on Feb. 29, indicates that the Legault government’s program spending in 2021 amounted to $15,562 per person—significantly higher than the $2,942 figure in 1965, which was the earliest year considered in the study.

“The aim of this study is to provide a historical analysis of this vital indicator of government fiscal policy,” stated study co-author Yanick Labrie, a senior fellow at the think tank, in the news release.

“By comparing current spending levels to the past, Quebecers can better decide for themselves whether they’re getting good value for their tax dollars.”

The per-person spendings analyzed in the study were adjusted for inflation and population based on Statistics Canada data. The analysis concluded in 2021 as it was the latest year for which data was available, as mentioned in the news release.

The authors of the study excluded interest costs on government debt from their analysis.

‘Often Neglected’

The Quebec premiers were also assessed based on their average annual change in per-person spending during their terms in office.

The study indicated that the highest average annual increase in per-person spending (10 percent) occurred during the Jean-Jacques Bertrand period, albeit over just one year (1969). Mr. Bertrand, from the Union Nationale party, served as premier from October 1968 to May 1970.

Robert Bourassa of the Quebec Liberal Party followed in the second position, with a 9.4 percent average annual increase during his initial term from May 1970 to November 1976.

Mr. Legault ranked third, with a 7.3 percent average annual increase during his 2019–21 term. Excluding COVID-related spending would lower the rate to 4.7 percent.

Daniel Johnson of the Union Nationale, premier from June 1966 to September 1968, registered the fourth-highest average annual change in per-person spending, at 6.9 percent, during his term.

All other premiers showed average annual increases of below 3 percent, with Jean Lesage excluded from the analysis. The report explained that although Mr. Lesage held office for six years from 1960 to 1966, there was only data for one year (1965) from his tenure.

The authors emphasized that per-person inflation-adjusted spending is a measure that is often overlooked since it is not as readily available as the alternative measure—government spending as a percentage of GDP. Their historical assessment of per-person spending by premiers corrects this gap for Quebec, they added.

“Comparing per-person program spending by various premiers is a valuable way to gauge government fiscal policy,” mentioned study co-author Tegan Hill, an associate director with the Fraser Institute, in the news release.

Source link