Spurred on by CAQ's millionaire leader, other party leaders release tax returns, reveal assets

With one week to go before the Oct. 1 provincial election, the leader of Coalition AvenirQubec, FranoisLegault,revealed the extent of his financial assets Monday, callingon other political leaders to do the same.

By late afternoon, all four main party leaders had released their tax returns and financial information.

Legault said he was releasing the information in the interest of transparency. Italso providedan opportunity for the wealthy entrepreneur to remind voters ofhis business acumen, as the co-founder of the charter airline, Air Transat.

Legault worthalmost $10M

The documents released by Legault show he hasnearly $10 million in assets.

The home he and his wife, Isabelle Brais, co-own in Outremont is worth more than $4.5 million. Last year, theypaid more than$35,000 in municipal property taxes.

Legault's net worth has increased by about $100,000 sincethe 2014 election campaign, when he last released his financial records.

In 2017, he earned about $127,000. Braisdid not claim any income.

The couple swears they do not have any overseas bank accounts.

"I made the choice to be transparent and honest with all Quebecers," said Legault in a statement released Monday.

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Mass'sfinances'resemble that of many Quebecers'

In starkcontrast, Mass, co-spokesperson of left-leaning Qubec Solidaire, has combined assets of just over $40,000. She does not own any property.

Her income last year was around $95,000.

"In short, Ms. Mass's [finances] resemblethat of many Quebecers," said a party official in an email.

Before becoming an MNA, Massworked asa community organizer.

Lise worth nearly $2M

Lise's assets are worth $1,945,000. He owns two homes one in Quebec City and the other in Montreal.

Last year, the PQ leadermade just over $195,000.

Couillardworth less than in 2014

Liberal Leader Philippe Couillardreleased his financial statements late Mondayafternoon.

His assets are worth about $440,000. Last year, his income was just under $200,000.

In the 2014 race, Couillardwas the first to releasehis financial statements, showing $172, 902 in taxable earnings for2012 and $667,160 in assets, in addition to $656,963 in assets held by his wife.

Challenged by Couillard to release her financial records during that campaign, then-PartiQubcoisleader PaulineMaroisat first refused, prompting unwelcome media speculation about her wealth. She then released her 2012 declaration of earnings.

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