Marois says her government benefited from setting priorities in legislature

QUEBEC – Premier Pauline Marois says her government was more focused in the current session of the legislature than when it was first elected last year.

Marois says her team concentrated on employment and identity and that she is pleased with the results.

She indicated some disappointment at being unable to balance the budget as planned but said delaying it until 2015-16 will allow her government to avoid tax hikes and deep spending cuts.

Marois told a news conference today as the legislature began its winter break that she believes the province is headed in the right direction.

She was pleased at new numbers indicating the unemployment rate in the province fell to 7.2 per cent in November from 7.5 per cent a month earlier.

Marois also said her government stands by its decision to bring in a values charter that would prohibit public sector employees from wearing obvious religious symbols.

In an earlier news conference, Liberal Leader Philippe Coulliard called the charter illegal and unconstitutional.