Friday, the two PMs will meet to discuss fundamental issues for Quebec. There are many disputes. Ottawa’s pettiness adds up.
Health
A year ago, PM Legault said: “Quebecers and Canadians must understand that what the federal government is doing makes no sense. The federal government must do its fair share. (…) What I’m saying is that it’s not acceptable (…) We’ve been unanimous for two and a half years. It’s not just Quebec, it’s 13 provinces and territories that asked for 28 billion more. We got 4.6 billion more per year.” – François Legault, February 8, 2023.
For Quebec, rather than $6 billion per year, Trudeau decreed that it would be barely $1 billion. The microcheck is still not done; the federal government unfairly imposes conditions.
- Listen to political analyst Elsie Lefebvre speaking to Richard Martineau via QUB :
Drug and dental care programs
“For the drug insurance plan, like that of dental care, we will exercise our right of withdrawal. We want full financial compensation, without conditions. We will continue to defend Quebec’s areas of jurisdiction” – Christian Dubé, February 28, 2024.
Liberal Minister Duclos said last week that the program would apply to Quebec. Quebec was flipped like a pancake.
Immigration
Rarely has a Quebec PM made vital demands for Quebec so clearly. “Unfortunately, we are very close to the breaking point due to the excessive number of asylum seekers arriving in Quebec month after month. The situation has become unbearable. (…) This is an urgent matter of the utmost importance, which must be resolved in its entirety.” – François Legault, January 18, 2024.
- Listen to political analyst Elsie Lefebvre speaking to Richard Martineau via QUB :
Four ministers left a few weeks later, “the school network is at breaking point”.
Quebec’s demands have so far been scorned by federal minister Marc Miller.
François Legault asked for a strong mandate in the last election to increase his balance of power against the federal government, Quebecers offered him 90 deputies, that’s not nothing.
It is unacceptable that the Quebec government is treated by Ottawa as if it were the Sainte-Pétronille scout troop.