Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign

MONTREAL — Taxes, parental leave and the U.S. trade war are taking centre stage during the first full day of campaigning on the Quebec election trail.

Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is promising to reduce taxes for Quebec businesses by 20 per cent in his first term as premier if his party wins the Oct. 5 election.

St-Pierre Plamondon made his announcement at the site of the cancelled Northvolt electric battery plant, to highlight what he described as the failures of the Coalition Avenir Québec government to boost the economy through intervention.

Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard focused on the ongoing trade war, and pledged to reduce the share of Quebec exports going to the United States by at least 15 per cent by diversifying its markets.