The day after the Speech from the Throne, the government of François Legault is offended to see “once again the marked propensity” of Ottawa to act within Quebec’s fields of jurisdiction.
“Of course, we are not surprised,” agreed the Minister responsible for Canadian Relations, Sonia LeBel, Wednesday. The day before, Governor General Mary Simon had read the intentions of Justin Trudeau’s government to “strengthen” long-term care and mental health. She also addressed the issue of housing and housing.
“These are our skills, our expertise,” replied Minister LeBel in Quebec.
“When it comes to health, it’s up to us to see where the money goes,” she continued, once again urging Ottawa to untie the purse strings to increase federal health transfers.
Despite the overwhelming report from the Ombudsperson on CHSLDs, it is out of the question to accept national standards on long-term care, argued Ms. LeBel, Wednesday.
“I continue to say that we are able to implement [les recommandations de la protectrice] and to take our responsibilities, ”she reacted.
Marie Rinfret’s report tabled on Tuesday noted significant delays in the government’s response to the crisis in CHSLDs. According to her, Quebec has placed hospitals “at the center of the crisis” and did not act for homes for the elderly before mid-March 2020.
Handguns on the menu
On Tuesday, the Governor General indicated that the federal government was offering municipalities and provinces all the tools to ban handguns in their territory. However, for weeks, Quebec has been urging Ottawa to act at the borders to resolve the firearms problem observed in Montreal this year.
“Let us take care of our skills and take care of theirs,” insisted Sonia LeBel, Wednesday. If there is one thing: ban firearms at borders. “
“It’s up to them to act,” she continued.
In February, the elected representatives of the National Assembly voted unanimously to obtain Ottawa’s powers of control over handguns. Quebec has not taken any further steps in the case since.