The management of the CAQ in several files looks more and more like the hair of Guillaume Lemay Thivierge in his latest video…
It’s all crooked.
We are far from the discipline promised by Prime Minister François Legault.
Let’s start with the budget.
The public was not prepared for the $11 billion deficit or the end of the subsidy for the purchase of electric vehicles.
François Legault did not take the time to set the table… He had only mentioned once during a press briefing on collective agreements that the budget would be “largely in deficit”.
Nothing suggested that the deficit would be four times higher than expected.
And the disappointment is great. We see this in the latest Léger poll.
Especially since public services still disappoint citizens too much.
A lack of heart
From the budget, we also note the government’s decision to put on hold the construction of houses to help abused women.
The Minister of Housing, the one who told tenants “to invest in real estate”, judges that the buildings are too expensive.
France-Élaine Duranceau is perhaps fundamentally right. There is surely a way to reduce construction costs.
But to brush aside the fears of women’s aid organizations, while feminicides are increasing…
Mme Duranceau cements his reputation as a minister with little control, cold and disconnected.
Especially since his government will invest more than a billion dollars in the stadium, while much cheaper options are available!
Another weakness
Mme Duranceau is not the only minister who is making the government look bad.
The management of the national capital by Jonatan Julien and that of public transport and the road network by Geneviève Guilbault do not help either.
Environment Minister Benoit Charette is also difficult to follow. Whether in the Northvolt issue or the number of heavy vehicles on our roads…
Immigration and power
But François Legault himself is harming his own government.
In immigration, he derailed their strategy.
His team had put together a solid case. Remember the press conference of the four ministers on the effects of the massive arrival of asylum seekers.
But a few hours before his meeting with Justin Trudeau, he fell into the PQ’s trap.
Mr. Legault announced that he was going to request full immigration powers.
Justin Trudeau’s “no” surprised no one… but it eclipsed Quebec’s few gains.
For example, Ottawa is open to imposing linguistic criteria for federal programs, a committee will study Quebec’s claim for a billion dollars for asylum seekers and Ottawa would even be open to better distributing asylum seekers!
The questions that arise now: Can François Legault pull himself together and does he want to face this headwind for a long time until the next election?