QUEBEC’S BUDGET

In January, after shuffling his cabinet, Premier Philippe Couillard declared Quebecers had “crossed the rough seas that lead to tranquil waters,” suggesting they would soon reap the rewards of recent sacrifices.

Certainly, the budget his Liberal government tabled Thursday serves to calm the waters. But Quebecers can be forgiven for feeling they are still a long way from port.

The $ 102.6- billion budget is the third under Couillard, and the second to post a modest surplus. That leftover $ 2 billion will go toward the important task of chipping away at the public debt.

There was some good news: No hikes in income tax, some relief for parents with more than one child in subsidized daycare, plus spending increases for health and education.

There is more money to upgrade crumbling schools, and to hire specialized staff to help students with learning disabilities.

As well, the government has committed to eliminating the personal health tax by 2018, a year earlier than planned.

Members of the business community, meanwhile, applauded new measures to help small and medium- size businesses, including a reduction in payroll taxes.

And yet, some of the increases look more like cuts when put in proper perspective. For example, while health- care spending is rising by 2.4 per cent, experts have calculated the medical rate of inflation at five per cent — the minimum rate at which the public system can sustain itself, given rising drug costs, new technologies and an aging population.

The new spending in health care falls short not only of that mark, but of the Liberal promise during the 2014 election campaign that it would grow by four per cent every year.

It should also be noted that a significant portion of that extra money will go to increases in doctors’ compensation and in other salaries, leaving any boost to health- care availability somewhat less than it might otherwise appear.

Similarly, critics say the three per cent rise in education spending will not make up for what has been cut during the austerity crunch and will serve only to cover basic operating needs, without seriously addressing needed improvements.

As for much- needed infrastructure improvements, Quebec plans to maintain its spending at $ 9.6 billion. But it says the fate of some marquee initiatives for Montreal — like the extension of the métro blue line in the east end, and the West Island commuter train project — depends on funding from the federal government.

With their new budget, the Liberals aimed to show that better days are ahead. Now, however, when Quebecers visit the hospital, send their children to school or take public transit, they will want to see the evidence.