The Quebec government is seeking a formal commitment to return to a balanced budget by 2013-2014.

The province’s new minister of finance, Raymond Bachand, said that he intends to propose a legislative amendment that would formally commit the government to balance its revenue and expenditure by fiscal year 2013-2014.

Its latest budget bill proposes suspending the requirement to balance the budget for fiscal years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 so that it can provide economic stimulus to hep combat the global recession. After that, it is to gradually return to a balanced budget.

However, the finance minister said that, following the work of the parliamentary commission and the comments of the opposition parties concerning the bill, he agreed that there must be no ambiguity as to the government’s determination to return to a balanced budget by 2013-2014.

“The government is thus acting on its commitment to implement the necessary measures to return to a balanced budget by 2013-2014, while taking the steps required to support employment and ensure economic recovery,” Bachand concluded.