(Quebec) Premier François Legault wants to promote the green economy during his meeting with his counterparts from other Canadian provinces this week in Manitoba.
“Quebec must obtain its fair share of financial investments from the federal government in this strategic and competitive sector. Quebec, with its energy expertise and strategic minerals, is a natural choice,” wrote the Prime Minister’s press secretary, Ewan Sauves.
Premiers of provinces and territories will meet at the Council of the Federation, which will be held July 10-12 in Winnipeg.
“Mr. Legault wishes to take advantage of this meeting to continue to position Quebec as a leader in the green economy in Canada,” said Mr. Sauves.
“The battery sector is not only an industry of the future, but an extraordinary opportunity for Quebec if we want to succeed in our energy transition and attract businesses,” he adds.
It is also indicated that this will be an opportunity for François Legault to develop and maintain his relations with the other prime ministers.
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson is Chair of the Council of the Federation.
Health transfers
Premiers will talk about the economy and the cost of living. The issue of improving health care will also be on the agenda, according to a statement.
For more than two years, the provinces and territories have united to demand an increase in federal health transfers of $28 billion per year.
Instead, the federal government offered $46.2 billion over 10 years, an average increase of $4.6 billion per year.
In return, the provinces had to commit to improving the way health information is collected, shared, used and communicated to Canadians.
In February, the provinces and territories accepted the offer, although it was considered insufficient.
A portion of the monies will be distributed through bilateral agreements with the provinces and territories.
To date, Quebec is the only province not to have signed an agreement in principle with the federal government.
“Quebec has a special status in the federation. In health, we sign asymmetrical agreements that recognize the responsibilities of the Quebec government and therefore it takes longer. […] We already have access to the funds, ”assured the Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, Wednesday, in a press scrum.
The federal government has already distributed $2 billion among the provinces, including Quebec, to meet urgent needs.