François Legault is offended by the alliance concluded in Ottawa between the Liberal Party of Canada (PLC) and the New Democratic Party (NDP), “two very centralizing parties” which risk undermining the skills of Quebec, according to him.
“I’m sorry, but the federal government has no jurisdiction to say how much money we should put into long-term care, how much we put into mental health, how much we put into new nurses,” said annoyed the Prime Minister on Wednesday, stating that Quebec would table its own health “refoundation” plan next Tuesday.
During the election campaign last summer, the elected representative of the Coalition Avenir Québec had invited Quebecers to vote blue rather than red or orange. In his eyes, three federal parties – the PLC, the NDP and the Green Party – are threatening to undermine Quebec’s jurisdictions.
However, the Liberals and New Democrats reached an agreement earlier this week that should allow the PLC to remain in power until 2025, provided that it works on a dental care program for the most disadvantaged and a universal plan. Drug insurance.
“It’s not trivial,” said Wednesday morning the Minister responsible for Canadian Relations, Sonia LeBel.
“If federal MPs are so interested in areas of provincial jurisdiction, maybe it’s because they should run in the next election,” she quipped before heading to the Blue Room for the Christmas period. Questions.
“Flexible” Ottawa
On Wednesday, the Quebec lieutenant for the PLC, Pablo Rodriguez, wanted to assure Quebec of his full “collaboration”, while praising the dental insurance model prioritized by his government. “I went to the dentist last week. I don’t know if you go there regularly, guys, but it’s expensive. There are families who cannot afford it,” he said.
Would Quebec be entitled to withdraw with full compensation if Ottawa launched various dental and drug insurance programs? “We should see, launched Mr. Rodriguez. There will be discussions on that, like the other points. But we are very flexible. look […] daycares. »
Last August, Quebec reached an agreement with Ottawa to receive $6 billion unconditionally in “compensation” for the launch of a federal child care program.
With Boris Proulx