6. Continuing to modernize government

Disciplined management

• Spending growth limited to:
• 3.9% in 2007-2008.
• A zero deficit is maintained.
• Major reinvestment in the government’s fundamental missions─health and education.

Health: still a priority

• Increase of close to $1.4 billion in the health budget in 2007-2008:
• nearly 45% of the government’s program spending.


• These new investments will make it possible to:
• cover costs related to population aging, new technologies and new drugs;
• enter the era of guaranteed access to health care;
• pursue the five-year action plan to better support people losing their autonomy, particularly seniors;
• open 300 new convalescence spaces to continue improving the situation in emergency rooms.

Adequate funding for health

• A task force, chaired by Claude Castonguay, will be set up to study:
• how to ensure adequate funding for the health care system given the constant increase in costs;
• how the private sector can support the public system while respecting its core values;
• the changes that might have to be made to the Canada Health Act.

Education: the future of Québec

Increase of $644 million in the education budget in 2007-2008

These new investments will make it possible to:

• give priority to academic success for all students, including those experiencing difficulties;
• hire more professionals to assist students experiencing difficulties;
• improve the quality of instruction.

An investment plan for renovating our schools.

Introduction of an education savings plan to encourage parents to invest in their children’s education.

Refocusing the government on its fundamental missions

• Privatization of five government services:
• Centre de gestion des équipements roulants;
• Centre de signalisation;
• Réseau national intégré de radiocommunication (RENIR);
• Fournitures et ameublement du Québec;
• Reprographie gouvernementale.

Sale of SIQ buildings

• Three buildings owned by the Société immobilière du Québec will be put up for sale:
• the building at 500, boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest, in Montréal;
• Place Québec, in Québec City;
• the building at 425, rue Saint-Amable, in Québec City.
• The sale of these three buildings will enable the Société immobilière du Québec to focus on its fundamental mission.
• The proceeds from the sale of these buildings will be deposited in the Generations Fund.