Carlos Leitão
- Born
- 1956 — Portugal
- Education
- BA, McGill University (1979)
- Career
- Chief economist for Laurentian Bank Securities
- Political Experience
- MNA for Robert-Baldwin (Quebec Liberal Party), Quebec minister of Finance (2014), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry (2025)
- Notable
- Moved to Canada in 1975, named to the Bank of Canada's board of directors in May 2023
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering provincial politics in Quebec, Carlos Leitão had a long career as an economist. He is most known for his role as the Chief Economist for Laurentian Bank Securities. His professional background in economics and finance was a central part of his public profile when he became Quebec's Minister of Finance.
Key Relationships & Connections
As a prominent cabinet minister in the Quebec Liberal Party, Leitão was a key member of former Premier Philippe Couillard's government. He served as Couillard's Minister of Finance from 2014 to 2018, making him a central figure in that administration's economic policy.
Public Controversies
As Quebec's Minister of Finance, Carlos Leitão was the face of the Couillard government's austerity measures aimed at eliminating the provincial deficit. These policies, which involved significant spending cuts, were highly controversial and led to widespread public sector protests and labour disputes. Critics argued the cuts negatively impacted public services, while supporters credited them with restoring fiscal balance to the province.
Where Carlos falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Total votes cast: 57,563
How does Carlos Leitão's voting record line up with your values?
Mr. Speaker, there is a wide range of support measures for the various industries. We are not just talking about loans. Many other measures have been put in place since last summer, and we will continue that work. We are working on two parallel tracks. For now, we are working on emergency measures, but, in the medium term, we are also working on more structural measures to diversify markets and
Mr. Speaker, our exports to Europe are starting to grow quite rapidly. We have natural resources that Europeans need, but we are now also beginning to see the benefits of the free trade agreement with the European Union. That agreement was negotiated several years ago, and it took us some time because the various governments, both here and there, did not seem particularly interested in
Mr. Speaker, that is indeed the case. In fact, regional development agencies are already doing this. Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions has just received additional funding to support SMEs with smaller amounts than that. This will be done through the regional economic development agencies.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take part in the debate on the Bloc Québécois motion concerning U.S. tariffs on Canadian aluminum, steel and copper. We are at a critical juncture for Canada's future. Canada's thriving steel and aluminum industries are facing unprecedented tariffs. The adjustments made by the U.S. on April 6, 2026, to its tariffs on products containing steel, aluminum or copper risk
Mr. Speaker, what we have said from the outset is that the world we knew before and our relationship with the United States have changed for good. We said that this was not just a minor, temporary situation, that it was a major change and that we would get the best deal possible. That is what we always try to do.
Mr. Speaker, yes, it is hugely important, because our objective is not just to get rid of the tariffs, which is important enough, obviously. We also want to have a comprehensive trade agreement, which we do. CUSMA is still in place. We want to reinforce that agreement and make sure it prevails. Second, we want to put an end to the tariffs that have been illegally imposed on a country that has
Prime Minister Mr. Speaker, obviously I disagree totally with what our colleague just mentioned. In fact right from the start, from the election campaign, ourhas said, and we repeat it very often, that this was a rupture and that the world as we knew it would no longer be the same. We also kept on saying that a bad deal would be worse than no deal. We stand by those principles.
Mr. Speaker, it is true that the forestry sector, whether in Quebec, New Brunswick, Ontario or British Columbia, is suffering a great deal. As we certainly know, the problems in the forestry sector are a little different from those in the manufacturing sector. This trade dispute has been going on for a very long time. Nevertheless, we remain fully committed to reaching a negotiated agreement