The political week in review | The hills notebook

From Quebec to Ottawa, find out what caught the attention of our parliamentary correspondents this week.

Immigration survey

6 out of 10

Six out of ten Quebecers believe that Quebec should obtain all powers over immigration from Ottawa. And the same number believe that Quebec should welcome fewer immigrants over the next three years. This is what a survey by the firm SOM carried out for The Press* relating to a hot issue in Quebec-Ottawa relations. Thus, 59% of people surveyed say they are in favor of the idea that Quebec holds all powers in matters of immigration; 29% are against this idea and 12% don’t know. Support is strongest among those aged 45 and over, while a greater number of those aged 18-24 are against a transfer of powers to Quebec. Considering the current context of labor shortage and difficult access to housing, 61% of those surveyed believe that Quebec should welcome fewer immigrants over the next three years; 26% answered “as much” and 10% “more” (3% don’t know). A similar proportion (62%) of Quebecers consider that immigration policies should be primarily focused on both economic and linguistic criteria (18% believe that the economic criterion should take precedence; 9%, the linguistic criterion).

* Methodology: The study was carried out online from June 7 to 12, 2024 with a sample of 1,259 Quebec adults registered on the SOM panel of Internet users. The results were weighted to reflect the main sociodemographic characteristics of Quebec adults. The maximum margin of error is +/- 3.7%, 19 times out of 20.

The quote of the week

Number of the week

100%

This is the part of the responsibility for the increase in temporary immigration for the housing crisis which is shaking Quebec, according to François Legault. He made this assertion after a meeting with his federal counterpart Justin Trudeau, who had just offered him a check for 750 million to cover the bill associated with welcoming asylum seekers between 2021 and 2023.

Ottawa has a commissioner of fun

The City of Ottawa has hired a Montrealer to breathe a little life into the federal capital known for its nights… quiet, let’s say, out of politeness. The position of nightlife commissioner was entrusted to Mathieu Grondin, tireless campaigner for the right to wild nights. “I can’t wait to discover the many neighborhoods and main streets of the urban, suburban and rural sectors, to immerse myself in the incredible diversity of festivals, cultural activities and performances that Ottawa will offer this summer, and to feel the beat of the capital,” declared the founder and former general manager of Montréal 24/24. He will try to make people forget that Ottawa is considered a city “that pleasure has forgotten”, and where the terraces close so early that they don’t even have time to be dismantled by firefighters.

From Legault’s cabinet to the Ministry of Family

A fifth departure in a few weeks occurs from the office of Prime Minister François Legault. This time, it is the director of government policies, Carl Renaud, CAQ advisor since 2016, who is leaving. Or ? The Council of Ministers appointed him assistant deputy minister at the Ministry of Family. A partisan appointment, denounced the Parti Québécois.

Drainville offers a class to Arcand

For those who were on another planet, remember that it was the last edition of Paul Arcand’s morning show at 98.5 on Friday. The tributes poured in – and they were well deserved! The testimony of a listener who learned French by listening to it caused a funny moment on the air. “Sometimes, I tell myself that I am more effective than a French program, what do you think, Bernard? », launched Paul Arcand, with that touch of humor that we know from him. “I need teachers, exactly! replied Minister Drainville, former political columnist. Paul, for your retirement, I’m going to find you a class, my guy… a whole school! » “I know, you’ll take anyone! », replied the king of the airwaves straight away. General hilarity! We remember that the Minister of Education set himself the objective during the last school year of having at least “one adult” per class, with or without university training, as there is such a shortage of teachers.

$17,000 for a trip to Quebec

NDP MP Niki Ashton made a rare in-person appearance in the House of Commons on Thursday, as she is accustomed to sitting virtually from her northern Manitoba riding. She had to explain why she charged taxpayers more than $17,000 for a family trip to Quebec during the holiday season, as revealed by CBC. “I met several people who are involved in the defense of French, of culture,” explained the person who is spokesperson for her party on official languages, during a press briefing where the unease was palpable . However, she avoided naming them despite the insistence of journalists. “What I did as a deputy is part of the rules,” she maintained. Were these meetings so essential that they could not be done virtually?

From bad to worse for the interpreters

Despite warnings and a series of measures to try to resolve the situation, the sound problems affecting interpreters in Parliament are far from disappearing. Question period was suspended for 45 minutes on Monday after sound was heard even on the parliamentary channel. This feedback effect would have been caused by an elected official who placed her headset too close to her microphone. In April, parliamentary work came close to being completely suspended until further notice after an occupational health and safety investigation. These problems persist since the use of hybrid Parliament during the pandemic. Feedback and acoustic shocks occur regularly. Some performers continue to struggle with tinnitus problems afterwards.