Why try to fix what isn’t broken? The saying seems to have inspired François Legault when composing his council of ministers.
Posted October 22
The announced changes will be made… in continuity. We have to recognize the value of this government’s experience, particularly in matters of the economy and health. Newcomers have also been placed in key positions, where weaknesses had been noted during the first term. Lots of encouraging signs, then. But in some sectors there will also be pitfalls to avoid and shortcomings into which we should above all not fall again. There will be many challenges for the ministers of the Legault 2.0 government. Here are ten, all more urgent than the other.
Economy
Four years ago, François Legault said he had formed a “government of the economy”. In retrospect, it seems obvious that many voters were reassured by the hard core of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) in this period of economic uncertainty. Éric Girard (Finance), Pierre Fitzgibbon (Economy) and Sonia LeBel (Treasury), who have become real pillars, remain in place. And the Premier will continue to set the tone for the team. Creating wealth (and reducing the gap with Ontario) remains an obsession for him. However, there is a difference between distributing the surpluses inherited from the Liberal era and keeping a ship afloat in the middle of a storm. Their resilience will be tested like never before.
Health
“The biggest management challenge in Quebec is Health,” said François Legault Thursday. Impossible to contradict him. The question is rather whether, finally, after so many broken promises over the past decades, his government will be able to use its second term to put the network back on track. “We have the right captain,” said the Prime Minister. Again, we agree with him. The game plan unveiled by Christian Dubé at the end of his first mandate, just like the confidence and dynamism he shows, bodes well. Lionel Carmant also has many crucial projects underway (youth protection, mental health, etc.). It should be added that the appointment of Sonia Bélanger – from the health sector – as minister responsible for seniors is at first sight good news.
Montreal
We only had to see the reaction of the mayoress of Montreal following the announcement of the new cabinet to understand that selecting Pierre Fitzgibbon as Minister of the Metropolis is a wise choice. It is “a strong signal that confirms the central place of Montreal in the priorities” of the government, argued Valérie Plante. In Quebec, around the table, the influence of this superminister will be an asset for Montreal. Such a signal, in Montreal, was expected for too long.
Immigration
Jean Boulet no longer holds the Immigration portfolio and that’s good. We cannot declare that “80% of immigrants go to Montreal, do not work, do not speak French or do not adhere to the values of Quebec society” (which is false) while being at the head of this ministry. The appointment of Christine Fréchette is another of the positive messages offered Thursday (as well as seeing Éric Girard become responsible for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers). It should also be noted with interest that François Legault now says he wants immigration to be approached “as a solution for the future of French rather than as a problem”. This shift is desirable. But will it be sustainable?
Indigenous Relations
Ian Lafrenière has made significant efforts in the field to build bridges with all Aboriginal communities. Results ? Hmm… The CAQ’s first mandate was distinguished “by the sum of the missed appointments with the Aboriginal peoples,” concluded the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, Ghislain Picard, last June. The actions taken were not commensurate with the efforts made. Will the arrival of a first Native to the Council of Ministers, Kateri Champagne Jourdain, change the situation and raise awareness among the tenors of the CAQ? We can hope so.
Environment and climate change
François Legault: Prime Minister of Energy Transition? You have to see it to believe it. We never felt, during the CAQ’s first mandate, that the fight against climate change was a priority for the government. Replacing Benoit Charette for the Environment with a more influential minister would have been a good way to modify a dynamic where the fate of our ecosystems is marginalized. As for the fears linked to the double mandate of Pierre Fitzgibbon (Economy and Energy), they are far from being futile. To be followed very, very closely.
Transport
Communication is the strength of the new Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault. She will promote the third link better than her predecessor, François Bonnardel. For sure. The problem is that the worm is in the apple. It is the very nature of the project that is problematic (the refusal to reveal the studies speaks volumes). In this sense, this ministry could turn out, for her, to be a poisoned gift coupled with an insurmountable challenge. However, it could shine by giving both Montreal and public transit the attention they deserve.
The labor shortage
François Legault is right to say that there is no “magic solution” to the labor shortage affecting Quebec. He is also right to want to propose a multi-pronged strategy. However, certain initiatives were put forward during the first mandate, but the problem remains intact… and acute. The many ministries with an economic vocation will be called upon again, of course. But we would do well to give more space to the new Minister of Immigration during these fundamental debates for the job market.
Housing
The Legault government was obviously trying to prove once and for all that it does not take the housing crisis lightly. Not only had Andrée Laforest discredited herself on this subject, but by creating a ministry dedicated specifically to everything related to housing, Quebec City is obviously trying to repair the broken pots and compensate for the lack of dynamism in this file during of the first term. Let’s not underestimate the complexity of the challenge awaiting the new minister, France-Élaine Duranceau.
Education
François Legault did not lie when he said four years ago that he would make education a priority. Under Jean-François Roberge, the network was (finally) entitled to more resources. Including for teachers, whose salary has been increased significantly. But the minister had lost the trust of the network. Lack of listening (although it has improved over time) and leadership, it does not forgive. Will Bernard Drainville live up to the ambitions nurtured by François Legault? Many are skeptical, but it would be unfair not to give the runner a chance. He will simply be reminded that an effective minister is preferable to a flamboyant minister.