Québec solidaire (QS) believes that the priority for the fall must be a cross-partisan discussion on adaptation to climate change. But the party no longer intends to filibuster to impose the theme since it judges that the Prime Minister, François Legault, has “evolved” on this issue.
“There is a consensus between the political formations on the fact that adaptation to climate change is essential. A year ago, this consensus did not exist, ”acknowledged solidarity co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois on Friday. With the members of his caucus, he took stock of the parliamentary session.
Alongside her, Manon Massé said that at the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ), “they have a bit to eat” to better act in the face of climate change”.
Still, the evolution of the Prime Minister on this issue has been noticed by those in solidarity, who have made environmental issues a priority over the years.
” I think that he [M. Legault] had no choice but to evolve. It has evolved and we will continue to do our work so that this evolution translates into concrete actions,” said Mr. Nadeau-Dubois. “There is no greater responsibility for the political class in 2023.”
In 2019, QS had promised to engage in systematic parliamentary filibuster if the Legault government did not table a credible action plan to fight against climate change. The party abandoned this strategy in 2020, due to the pandemic. And now, “we are not there yet,” said Mr. Nadeau-Dubois on Friday.
Work in prevention
While forest fires are ravaging Quebec, the supportive MP recognized that the Prime Minister “fulfills” his role well in times of crisis. But “at the time of climate change, the elected representatives of the Quebec people have two responsibilities: to be there when it blows up, when it breaks, when it breaks, but to work so that it does not happen again”, he nuanced .
“I don’t ask [à M. Legault] to be an environmentalist, I just ask him to be a good accountant. Spending money today is saving money later,” he said.
In addition, Mr. Nadeau-Dubois said that he judges that the members of his caucus have been “consistent” on the issue of the remuneration of elected officials. Solidarity declared their opposition to the 30% increase, then proposed to postpone it to 2026, reduce it to $10,000 or $20,000, and then acknowledge — in some cases — that they were going to pocket more. or less.
“I think that overall, the people who voted against the bill are consistent in their positions,” said the supportive co-spokesperson, also referring to the reluctance of the Parti Québécois. “Echoing the deep dissatisfaction of three out of four Quebecers with regard to this decision is not populism, it’s just doing our job,” he also said.
Mr. Nadeau-Dubois was also questioned about the qualities that the new female co-spokesperson for QS should have, given the departure of Manon Massé from this function. He praised the “listening” of his work partner. “And me, when I arrived in this role, [l’écoute], it was not my forte. It was a lot thanks to Manon that I learned the importance of this quality,” he underlined.
The campaign for the position of female co-spokesperson begins on August 25. The successor of M.me Massé will be appointed at the end of November. So far, MP Ruba Ghazal and former MP Émilise Lessard-Therrien have confirmed that they will be running.