(Quebec) The Caquiste Premier François Legault must consult more, particularly in the energy file, if he wants to avoid criticism, believes the interim Liberal leader, Marc Tanguay.
He reacted Thursday to the public release of Mr. Legault, who, the day before, said he was the victim of an unfair perception since the announcement of the resignation of the president of Hydro-Quebec, Sophie Brochu.
The Legault government has been accused of wanting to sell off electricity, in other words, attract investment by guaranteeing ridiculously low electricity rates.
“When you don’t have a complete vision […], you face several criticisms. This is not surprising, ”reacted in an interview Mr. Tanguay, at the end of a meeting with Mr. Legault.
“The Coalition avenir Québec still needs to learn how to consult more, consult economic players, experts in the field, citizens. It’s up to us, Hydro-Québec.
“The fact of saying: ‘We do not rule out a new hydroelectric dam’, that does not mean that we have a vision”, continued the Liberal leader.
François Legault meets in turn this week with the leaders of the opposition parties. If he deems the exercise relevant, Mr. Tanguay calls for a broader societal debate on energy.
It proposes a traveling commission on the current and future needs of Quebec, as well as on the investments necessary to achieve the energy transition and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
To meet Québec’s energy needs, the government considers that approximately 100 terawatt-hours (TWh) will have to be added to the approximately 210 TWh already produced annually.
The Liberals believe that the population must be consulted on the principles that will guide the decisions of the government and of Hydro-Québec.
“When it comes to a vision that arises from consensus and discussion, you are much less open to attack on the choices you are going to make,” said Mr. Tanguay.
” We are at the crossroads. […] I expect the Prime Minister to invite us to this national project. It’s very Quebec to imagine the future together, ”he added.
Moreover, during his 90-minute meeting with Mr. Legault, Mr. Tanguay said he discussed other subjects, such as the labor shortage, the essential missions of the State and “services that are not given”.
Earlier this week, the parliamentary leader of Québec solidaire, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, as well as the Conservative leader Éric Duhaime, had shown themselves satisfied with their meetings with Mr. Legault.
Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is expected to meet with the Prime Minister next week. This series of private meetings is a rather rare exercise.
The National Assembly will resume its work on January 31.