It’s meeting day between François Legault and Justin Trudeau. Requested by Mr. Legault to talk about immigration, it will mainly serve as a test for his federalist autonomy, the harvest of which, until now, is rather slim.
When two prime ministers in free fall in the polls meet, however, it is difficult to predict what will come out of it. Without forgetting that beyond the obligatory smiles, the chemistry between the two men is as rare as a quick medical appointment in Quebec.
There will therefore be a test for Mr. Legault. On Thursday, we learned from his own mouth that today he would present a formal request to Mr. Trudeau for full immigration powers. Large order…
This announcement came in response to PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon who, for weeks, has been following him on the lack of concrete results in the “autonomist” sector of the CAQ.
This relative void is all the more surprising given that as early as 2015, Mr. Legault pledged, if he took power, to deliver 21 strong autonomist demands.
ADQ on steroids
He said he was aiming for full immigration powers, control of ports along the St. Lawrence, billions in unconditional federal transfers, a single tax return, etc. In short, a kind of ADQ on steroids.
He swore that once in power, the CAQ would succeed without major constitutional masses. His magic wand would be the “third way” which, in fact, is an old Quebec nationalist fantasy.
His approach within Canada, he promised, would therefore be “progressive, realistic and pragmatic”. Mr. Legault even predicted that for the federal government, it would be “very difficult, if not impossible, to refuse what is requested by many Quebecers.” Oops.
Almost two mandates in power later, most of the CAQ’s demands have disappeared from the radar. With the PQ ahead in the polls, for Mr. Legault, this situation is becoming more and more uncomfortable.
Result: for his big request to Justin Trudeau, François Legault is playing big. His popularity weakened, if he came out empty-handed as usual, his autonomist card would no longer be worth much in the raffle of perilous demands.
What is Plan B?
Hence the question addressed to him on Thursday by the PQ leader: what does Mr. Legault intend to do “if, concretely, Justin Trudeau says no to the fundamental request to repatriate immigration powers, a question of survival of the nation for the Prime Minister ?».
“There are options that present themselves,” said Mr. Legault, “we are already evaluating them.” It is indeed the grace that he must wish for himself. Especially since he refuses to hold a sectoral referendum on full immigration powers.
And if he refuses, it is because he knows that even with a majority Yes, the federal government, while negotiating for the gallery, could refuse to grant them.
So what will Mr. Legault do if Justin Trudeau, beyond saying he is perhaps ready to examine better support for asylum seekers or other files, says no again to his request for full powers in immigration?
What will be the Premier of Quebec’s Plan B? What will these options be that he says he is evaluating? Do they exist? If so, the opposition parties will be eager to hear them.
Unless, of course, there is a miraculous autonomist epiphany from Justin Trudeau. In which case, even Brother André would be speechless…