MONTREAL, Que. - With just a handful of days left to win over Quebec voters, Liberal Leader Jean Charest promised Tuesday to cut income taxes and put several hundred extra dollars a year in people's pockets.
Charest said $700 million in additional income tax cuts will take effect next Jan. 1, on top of $250 million in reductions already announced in the Liberals' February budget.
The $700 million will come from the additional $2.3 billion Quebec will get from the federal government in 2007-08.
Charest's announcement ahead of Monday's election is clearly aimed at striking a chord with Quebecers, who are still among the most heavily taxed people in the country.
The premier is particularly going after families, a segment of the population that Action democratique du Quebec Leader Mario Dumont also has been trying to woo since the election was called Feb. 21.
"Now, it's the middle class we must think about,'' Charest told a packed luncheon meeting of the Montreal Chamber of Commerce.
Under the Liberals' tax proposal, a couple with two children that earns $100,000 a year would save an additional $650 annually, while a single-income family with two children earning $75,000 a year would save an additional $900.
Charest's announcement recalls a pledge he made during the 2003 election campaign when he promised to cut income taxes by $1 billion a year for five years.
That promise never materialized, even though Charest has repeatedly said the tax gap has narrowed between Quebec and the rest of the country.
Charest told the chamber of commerce that when he took office, Quebec was the most-taxed jurisdiction in North America.
"This new tax cut brings us to fifth among Canadian provinces,'' he said. "So, we're progressing toward this objective to obtain the Canadian average.''
Charest said the federal funding will allow his government to accelerate its priorities.
"We have obtained funds for health, for education, for the environment...,'' he said. "The rest will go to Quebecers.''
Parti Quebecois Leader Andre Boisclair poked fun at his Liberal rival's tax promise.
"He's sending us down the same road he sent us down in 2003,'' Boisclair said. "He's taking the same old strategy in 2003.''
"But this time people know Jean Charest and they won't be taken twice.
"It's not credible.''
Dumont also expressed skepticism and said Charest's move smacked of desperation.
"It's not a sincere commitment,'' he said in Quebec City. "If he were sincere he would have done it the last time.''
Money was also on Dumont's mind as he reiterated that ADQ election promises will cost $1.7 billion, including $875 million on families.
The party announced it would strive to keep a handle on government spending.
