The Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) is not ready to put aside the theme of the pandemic which propelled its growth. A year and a half after the lifting of the state of health emergency, the subject continues to occupy a prominent place at its national congress which is held in Lévis.
With proposals on energy, healthcare and the Constitution, Congress aims to combine its DNA with other issues. But in his speech on Saturday, chef Éric Duhaime wanted to emphasize that the theme of the pandemic would remain present.
“It is certain that we will never abandon the fight for individual freedoms, civil rights and then democracy which have been too much violated during the last three years in Quebec. We will never give up on that! “, he said energetically. A passage which earned him some of the loudest applause during his speech.
Mr. Duhaime nevertheless made fun of the “columnists” who described his party as “the party of a single cause”. “It’s true that it’s a bond that unites us, but it’s much more than that,” the PCQ said in his speech.
The Party also invited as a speaker to the Congress Professor Patrick Provost who had been suspended from Laval University during the pandemic due to his anti-vaccine remarks. The latter is to receive an honorary prize from the PCQ at the conference.
Party members must also debate proposals on Sunday linked to the experience of the pandemic.
It is proposed to “include the primacy of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms” in the Public Health Act and that any government be required to have the support of at least 80% of deputies to extend the state of emergency for more than 30 days.
Earlier this week, chef Éric Duhaime took advantage of the release of Catherine Dorion’s book to criticize her, despite her rebellious speeches, for not having openly criticized the state of health emergency during the pandemic.
The state of health emergency in Quebec was lifted in June 2022.
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