Five things to watch for with a new CAQ government led by François Legault

The Coalition Avenir Québec, led by François Legault, won a second consecutive majority mandate in Monday’s election.

Here are five things to watch out for as the CAQ leader prepares to name his new cabinet and begins to make good on his party’s election promises.

READ MORE: François Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec wins another majority government

Taxes and cost of living

The Coalition Avenir Québec has promised to distribute up to $600 to Quebecers in December to help with the cost of living. Adults making less than $50,000 are to receive a one-time payment of $600, and people with annual incomes between $50,000 and $100,000 will receive $400. Legault has also promised to cut income taxes by a total of 2.5 per cent over the next decade, with a first cut aimed at the two lowest tax brackets in 2023. Legault says one his government’s first priorities is to adopt a law capping government-controlled fees, such as driver’s licences.

Environment

The CAQ has committed to cutting greenhouse gases by 37.5 per cent, compared with 1990 levels, by 2030, and it is aiming for the province to have net-zero emissions by 2050. Legault says the only way to reach those goals is to build more hydroelectric dams, and he says he will order the province’s hydro utility to analyze which rivers can be dammed. The province, however, missed its previous emissions-reduction goal, and experts have said Quebec won’t achieve its current targets without a more aggressive approach.

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Health care

Legault has backed away from his 2018 promise to give each Quebecer access to a family doctor. Instead, he has committed to building a digital health platform to direct people to a health-care professional, such as a doctor, nurse or…