Michael Sabia “is a Quebecer who loves Quebec very much,” said François Legault on Friday, as the government prepares to appoint the financier at the head of Hydro-Québec.
“While he was Deputy Minister of Finance in Ottawa, every weekend he looked forward to returning to Montreal,” added the Prime Minister, two days after the Parti Québécois raised doubts about the attachment of Mr. Sabia in Quebec.
Mr. Legault added that he did not confirm that his choice had fallen on Mr. Sabia for Hydro-Québec, but mentioned – smiling – that he had “met him recently, like that, during a hour and a half”.
PHOTO KAROLINE BOUCHER, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Francois Legault
As part of this meeting, Mr. Legault questioned Michael Sabia about his link with Quebec and explained his priorities to him: “reducing our wealth gap” and “stopping the decline of French”. “I liked his answers,” said the premier.
Michael Sabia was born in St. Catharines, then made a career between Quebec and Ontario for decades. He headed the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) from 2009 to 2020.
Earlier this week, the Parti Québécois had asked for Mr. Sabia to appear before the deputies of the National Assembly.
“Ontarian Michael Sabia has a remarkable career in the financial field,” said PQ player Pascal Bérubé. He added “that in Quebec, there are plenty of talents that could have been put to good use”. “Me, I want a nationalist at the head of Hydro-Quebec. Is Michael Sabia an economic Quebec nationalist? »