Companies based in Quebec will finance the energy transition through an increase in electricity prices, Prime Minister François Legault said on Friday, taking stock of a parliamentary session conducted under the sign of discipline.
Seeing an “economic boom” coming with Hydro-Québec projects, the head of government intends to call on businesses to contribute more financially.
“The explosion of investments” from companies “waiting for electricity” will make it possible to “relaunch major projects at Hydro-Québec,” said Mr. Legault. “And it will be paid for, financed indirectly by companies. »
He later recalled that businesses pay “in Quebec among the lowest rates in North America.” Given the explosion in costs and the arrival of new works, “we must think that prices must follow,” he stressed. “Otherwise, we would increase the Quebec government’s deficit by reducing Hydro-Québec’s profits. »
Mr. Legault, on the other hand, declared that he did not intend to let an increase in residential rates go by which would exceed 3%, “even after” the 2026 electoral campaign. Hydro-Québec’s action plan, staggered until in 2035, expect such increases. The reform presented Thursday by the Minister of Energy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, however, aims to give the Energy Authority the power to adjust prices from 2026 to reduce electricity consumption during peak periods.
From controversies to discipline
At this time last year, the leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec marked the high point of an eventful parliamentary session, heralding the overtaking that the Parti Québécois would do in the fall, to slip into first place in the polls on the voting intentions of Quebecers. In December, Mr. Legault said he hoped 2024 would be “one of the best” years of his government.
To cut short a painful start to the session, marked by controversies surrounding CAQ financing cocktails, the Prime Minister imposed a media treatment on himself. In the corridors of the National Assembly, he repeated “have a good day everyone” and displayed, most often, a “disciplined” smile in response to journalists’ questions. Result: “I think we still managed to focus more on our priorities,” he said Friday. “It is certain that I avoided distractions on secondary subjects to concentrate on our priorities and I think that is what I must do,” he also affirmed.
Immigration mission
The CAQ leader also tried to make Quebecers aware of the “urgent need to act” to curb the arrival of temporary immigrants in Quebec. He is also due to meet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday to discuss immigration.
This is a stage in a “continuous process” whose purpose could — “perhaps” — take the form of support for a party during the next federal election, Mr. Legault further warned. “I think it is consensual in Quebec: there is no longer any sense in the encroachments of the federal government. “It no longer makes sense, the number of temporary immigrants that Mr. Trudeau has accepted,” he said. What will happen if he leaves his meeting with his counterpart on Monday dissatisfied? “I invite you to ask me this question again on Monday evening,” replied Mr. Legault. At the same time, he announced on Friday the establishment of a committee to increase the autonomy of Quebec within Canada.
In view of the fall and while rumors of a reshuffle are already floating around, the Prime Minister said he was “satisfied with the team” he has. He himself intends to run for a third “majority” mandate in 2026. “I’m in great shape,” he replied to the Liberal leader, Marc Tanguay, who criticized him for “looking tired.”
With François Carabin