Quebec budget takes aim at deficit: Bachand

Quebec's budget will be austere with limited spending to tackle the province's $5-billion deficit, warned finance minister Raymond Bachand.

He will roll out his fiscal plan for the province on Tuesday at the national assembly in Quebec City.

Bachand set a frugal tone on the eve of his budget, indicating to reporters he won't wear a new pair of shoes, as is customary for finance ministers on budget day.

"It's not a traditional budget, so I didn't think it wise to go with tradition," opting instead to have an old pair fixed up for less than $10 dollars, he said.

"I had them repaired at the repair shop. You have to maintain them yourself, so I shined them, and brushed them myself."

The shoes are symbolic of choices he's had to make in the budget, to reign in Quebec's expenses, Bachand said.

"There will be decisions, there will be actions, and choices for the future of Quebecers."

Bachand will be sporting a new pair of glasses, he said, "because we hope Quebecers will be clear-eyed about their public finances."

Bachand said he wants to eliminate Quebec's $5 billion deficit over the next four years, with strictly limited spending.

Some fees for public services will also be raised.

Members of the Opposition Parti Qubcois are not as hopeful about Liberal plansto tacklethe deficit.

"I'm afraid that they cannot control spending," said PQ critic Nicolas Marceau.

The budget will be tabled at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.