(Montreal) Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois does not want to dictate to citizens what to eat, where to travel or how to get around in the transition he is proposing to accelerate the fight against climate change. This idea spread by right-wing movements, he says, is wrong.
Posted at 3:25 p.m.
The co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire (QS) was the last party leader to answer questions from Michel Leblanc, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM), during a lunch-conference on Thursday. The two men had a close conversation on several topics, including the environment and taxation.
To Mr. Leblanc who asked him what place he gives to free will, Mr. Nadeau-Dubois replied that his party — just like environmentalists in general — wants to offer more choice to citizens, by increasing the supply of public transport. , for example, rather than punishing certain behaviors harmful to the environment.
The ecologists [ne veulent pas nous dire] what to do, what to eat, what time to take our chariot. […] This perception has been fueled by some politicians for years. […] In fact, the ecological transition is a great opportunity to give people more choice. Not less.
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire
In its environmental plan, Québec solidaire also proposes to make the transportation sector, where greenhouse gas emissions have increased in recent years, a “revolution” project. The left party proposes, among other things, to create new state corporations (Quebec bus and Quebec rail, among others).
On this subject, Mr. Nadeau-Dubois pointed out that the only economic sector that QS wants to nationalize is intercity bus transportation.
Who is “ultra-rich”?
The president of the CCMM, Michel Leblanc, also asked Thursday Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois who was “ultra-rich” according to him in Quebec. This question referred to Québec solidaire’s plan to raise taxes on citizens whose income exceeds $100,000, as well as to impose a tax on “great fortunes”, which targets anyone who owns more than $1 million net assets.
“Québec solidaire’s tax plan does not include any increase in the tax burden for the middle class. None. And no tax measure targeting SMEs either,” defended Mr. Nadeau-Dubois.
The QS co-spokesperson defines the middle class as a citizen who is not in the top 20%, nor in the bottom 20% of a society, and who owns in Quebec net assets between $22,000 and $829,000 per household.
After having dinner with Michel Leblanc, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois goes to Laval on Thursday to meet Mayor Stéphane Boyer. He has met in recent days with Mayor Valérie Plante in Montreal and Mayor Bruno Marchand in Quebec. The co-spokesperson for QS will be present in the evening for an activist activity in the riding of Viau, in Montreal, where the party is trying to make a gain on October 3.