Quebec projects large deficit in budget due to contract deal with teachers

Quebec PremierFranoisLegaultsays he's proud of the "massive" investments his government has made to improve working conditionsand salariesfor teachers in the province's public sector but the new measures will come at a price.

At a news conference Sunday, Legaultprojectedalarge deficit in the government'sbudget next month due in part to the recently renewed collective agreements in the education sector.

"The choice we made to invest massively in public services will have financial consequences," warned Legault.

"We find ourselves with a budget that is largely in deficit much more of a deficit than it was before these negotiations," he said.

Details of the deficit will be revealed when the budget is tabled next month.

Legault assured this deficit would not lead to service cuts or tax increases, but he said it's possible the goal of balancing the budget by2027-2028 would be postponed.

Legault was joined byQuebecEducation minister Bernard Drainville and Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel Sundayto releasenew details about the negotiated measures in the teachers' collective agreements. Many details have beenpreviously reported by CBC.

The measures includebringing in 4,000 new classroom aides, adding full-time specialized workers in secondary schools and establishing a new class composition mechanism to better support teachers dealing with students withdifficulties.

The deal provides for the addition of 5,000 permanent positions and alsogrants teachers more flexibility to work overtime or not, as well as complete training on the clock.

Increased salary caps for teachers, school psychologists andspecial education technicians are also included in the deal. The annual salary increase will vary between18 per cent to 27 per cent over fiveyears, Legault said.

Daycareworkers will also become classroom aides, bumping their average salary from $27,000to $56,000.

"We're improving the quality of life for teachers and school staff," saidDrainville. "I sincerely believe that this agreement can help us attract new talent to the education professions."

Whilethe new deal should theoreticallyimprove staff retention and recruitment, it will also come at a cost. But it's oneLegault says he's willing to pay.

"It may be a choice that will be criticized by some, but I think it's the best choice we can make. As premier of Quebec, I accept this choice. I think it's the right choice. It's a responsible choice," he said.

'Still much to do'

ButJose Scalabrini, the president of the Fdration des syndicats de l'enseignement (FSE-CSQ), said Legault put on rose-coloured glasses at thenews conference.

She said there are still some unions that need to vote to ratify their collective agreements.

"A large majority of our teachersdisagree that we just came out of a great negotiation. They've just been told,'We didn't listen to you, we didn't hear you,'" she said.

Scalabrini said she was also surprised to hear Legault blame the deficit on the deals the government struck with teachers' unions.

She said the government had divested from education for years and is now playing catch-up.

Though she agrees that the new agreements are a step in the right direction, there is "still much to do," Scalabrini said.