Quebec small businesses to get tax cut in next provincial budget, Couillard says

The Quebec Liberals are planning to cut taxes for small- and medium-sized businesses in the next provincial budget, Premier PhilippeCouillardsaid Thursday.

He told reporters accompanying him on a trade mission to China that those businesses find themselves under increased pressure due to changes to pension rules and an impending hike to the minimum wage.

"I think if someone were to bet on a tax effort for companies, especially our small- and medium-sized firms, they would probably have a good chance of winning that bet,''Couillardsaid.

He wouldn't go into details about the budget, which will be his government's fifth, but said his administrationwillbe "cautious'' while maintaining fiscal and financial responsibility.

Couillardsaid Quebec does not plan to further reduce personal taxes because the province has already made efforts to cut them.

For example, he noted that a family of four with an annual income of $90,000 has already received a $1,000 tax cut and will be getting a government cheque to offset school supply costs.

The legislature is to resume sitting in early February, and all the parties in the province will be looking ahead to the Oct. 1 election.

"In reality, we are already campaigning,''Couillardsaid. "That's the downside of fixed election dates.''

The premier also said he doesn't intend to call a snap election.