Quebecers have the lowest disposable income in Canada: stats bureau

For the second straight year, Quebecers have the lowest disposable income in Canada, new numbers by the Institut de la statistique du Qubec show.

The per-capitarevenue of Quebec residents after taxes and deductions was $26,046 in 2014, compared to the Canadian average of $30,270.

Albertans havethe highest disposable income, at an average of $40,495 per person.

Quebec's low showing is mostly explained by overallsalaries, which remain the lowest in the country,theInstitutsaid.Although Quebecers' purchasing power increased by 1.5 per cent in 2014, the cost of household expenses increased by 1.4 percent.

This was the lowest increase in real disposable wages in nine years, the Institut noted, the result of low wages combined with highdeductions for pensions plans.

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Quebec used to have the second-lowest numbers until 2013, when it was passed by Prince Edward Island.

Within the province, the Montrgie and capital region had the highest disposable incomes, while the Lower St. Lawrence and Gasp regions had the lowest.

Montreal's per-capita disposable income was $26,481 in 2014, in line with the provincial average.

The Coalition Avenir Qubec used the news to attack Philippe Couillard's Liberal government, accusing them of doing little to stimulate innovation and reinvigorate the manufacturing sector.

"It's a worrisome reality, especially for our middle-class families," saidAndr Lamontagne, economics spokesman for the CAQ.

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And what's inacceptable isthat our government seems completely resigned and blames their inaction on the global economy."