Independence would cause Quebec to lose 10 billion dollars a year, estimated the CAQ leader, François Legault, underlining the financial advantages of federalism obtained thanks to equalization and health transfers.
In an editorial interview with The dutySaturday, Mr. Legault argued that Quebec receives more money than it gives to the federal government.
The leader of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) has calculated the net gain from Ottawa each year.
TO NOTE
“We receive at least 10 billion more than what we send to Ottawa,” he said during this exclusive interview. It still has to be said. »
Mr. Legault was not surprised that the Parti Québécois (PQ) gave up on Saturday to present an update on the finances of a sovereign Quebec that he himself had established when he was elected PQ.
“When I did the finances for a sovereign Quebec, we received $4 billion in equalization,” he said. We get 13 billion. Are you surprised that the PQ, which had promised to file an update, did not do so? »
Sovereignty would deprive Quebec of the sums paid by federal equalization programs and health transfers, estimated the CAQ leader.
“We can choose to deprive ourselves of this amount because it is important to defend our identity, I find that it is a legitimate fight, he recognized. But it must still be said that there is a shortfall of 10 billion per year. »
hypothetical question
Just as he did at the last televised party leaders’ debate, Mr. Legault refused to say whether he would vote no in the event of a referendum on sovereignty.
“The CAQ project is inside Canada, it’s Quebec first, but inside Canada,” he said, refusing to answer any hypothetical questions.
Nevertheless, the CAQ leader rejects the federalist label, which he considers inapplicable to his autonomist project.
“I don’t like the word federalist,” he explained. Because federalist is associated with the status quo. »
Mr. Legault suggested that it was inexperience that had led him to say, in 2012, that he would vote no to this referendum question on sovereignty, which he now considers hypothetical.
“Maybe at the time I shouldn’t have answered it,” he said. Maybe I had less experience with journalists. »
Watch the full interview in the video below.
Immigration
Faced with the rebuffs suffered by Justin Trudeau to his demands for new powers in immigration, Mr. Legault seems ready to adapt, if Ottawa wants to continue to manage 40% of immigration to Quebec, as planned in agreements concluded in 1978 and 1991.
“What I want to say to Mr. Trudeau is ‘if you want to continue to choose 40%, can we set the criteria for speaking French?’ “, he repeated, recalling that he wants immigration to be 80% Francophone.
Despite this, he is still counting on the election to provoke an opening of the federal government which would allow Quebec to increase the proportion it selects. According to him, a “clear majority” in favor of the CAQ’s demands would tip the scales.
“We are going to have a better chance of winning like that than having a referendum on sovereignty where there will be no majority,” he said.
As for the possibility of outright holding a referendum on the specific question of immigration powers, Mr. Legault did not completely rule it out.
“We haven’t gotten there,” he simply replied.
Mr. Legault remained vague about his desire to use the provisions within his reach to officially ask Ottawa to reopen the immigration agreement.
The text of the agreement concluded in 1991 with the federal government provides for a six-month notice in this regard, recognized the chief caquiste. He was unable to say on Saturday whether his Minister of Immigration, Jean Boulet, made this request.
“I don’t know if Jean Boulet sent it,” said Mr. Legault. He mentioned her. But we will demand to have the reopening with Ottawa. »
Relaunched on the assumption that he could once again come up against a refusal, Mr. Legault indicated that he is ready to wait for a change of government in Ottawa.
“Indeed, it’s not easy with Justin Trudeau,” he admitted. But throughout history, there are going to be different governments. »
Crucial issue
Mr. Legault defended himself on Saturday for having put the economy back at the forefront of his campaign following embarrassing statements which notably forced him to apologize twice.
“I don’t think it’s going badly,” he said. Not a lot has changed since the start of the campaign. Nothing has changed. »
Earlier this week, Mr. Legault decreed that the economy is the issue that voters should have in mind when casting their ballot in the ballot box on election day, October 3.
The Liberal leader, Dominique Anglade, had meanwhile announced from the first day of the campaign that the crucial issue of the election would be the economy.
According to Mr. Legault, the economy has always been in the five priorities of his election campaign, even if he waited halfway through to make it the decisive issue.
Mr. Legault had to correct the situation after making a connection between immigration and violence. He also apologized to the husband of Joyce Echaquan, an Aboriginal woman who died after being the victim of racism in a Joliette hospital two years ago.
On Saturday, the CAQ chief said that these controversies did not harm his credibility.
“Quebecers are used to this style,” he said. I’m direct, I’m not jargon. »