The Minister of Finance has no intention of shaking the pillars of the temple: Eric Girard will not “attack” the SAQ monopoly. If he does not want to promote the consumption of alcohol, Mr. Girard recalls, however, that the state company is condemned to be more “efficient”, because its dividends finance hospitals and schools in particular.

“We have no intention of attacking or modifying the SAQ monopoly which brings 1.4 billion in dividends. It goes up to 2.2 billion if you include taxes, ”said Minister Girard on Wednesday, during the study of the budget appropriations of the state corporation.

Mr. Girard made this statement as activists from his party announced their intention to present a proposal calling for the end of the SAQ monopoly at the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) convention to be held in a few days. .

“It’s very healthy (for) a political party to have a debate in congresses,” he said.