Surplus shows Liberals' lack of compassion, Jean-Franois Lise says

Parti QubcoisLeader Jean-Franois Lisesaysthe Quebec government'sannounced surplus should be called a "compassion deficit," arguing Premier Philippe Couillardshouldn't have cut services so deeply in the first place.

Lise said Wednesday thatthe surplus, which totalled $2.2 billion, indicatescuts that went beyond what was needed to reach a zero-deficit budget.

"There was a moment where this government knew it was cutting too much, but it kept going,"Lise told reporters.

Lise said Couillard lacks "humanism" and would not stop cutting services, despite seeing signs that the cuts were having impacts on Quebecers.

• Couillardout to prove austerity measures worthwhile
• $2B surplus, but little spending wiggle room

Health, educationand daycare have all been subject to cuts, he said.

Finance Minister Carlos Leitao announced the surplus during his fall economic update on Tuesday. The $2.2-billion surplusis higher than the $1.8-billion surplus projected in July.

Leitao said the government would immediately inject an additional $135 million into health care and education.

That money would be earmarked for home care and long-term care facilities as well as student success, special needs students and training for new immigrants.

Leiatosaid the surplus would mean additional investments in health and social services, education, regional economic developmentand infrastructure in the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

The surplus also meansthe government canabolish the health tax one year earlier than expected. It will be dropped January 1, 2017. Quebecers will save between $80 and$600 a year, depending on their annual income.