Quebec premier outlines new economic vision in speech to legislature

Quebec Premier François Legault has outlined what he calls his new economic vision for the province.

During the inaugural speech in the National Assembly, Legault said his government will table a new bill to accelerate approvals for major, strategic projects.

He also announced that Quebec’s first-ever draft constitution will soon be introduced, a move he says is aimed at protecting the province’s identity, common values, and secularism.

“It is my duty as premier of Quebec to protect our Quebec culture,” said Legault, who framed the proposed constitution as part of a broader effort to reinforce Quebec’s autonomy.

He says he will also ask the province’s largest pension fund manager to increase the share of its investments in the Quebec economy, and has tasked his finance minister with finding ways to help Quebecers struggling with inflation and the rising cost of living, though he offered few specifics.

The premier is also promising a “shock treatment” to Quebec’s bureaucracy, and says the Treasury Board president will soon announce planned reductions in the size of the public service.

Legault prorogued the legislature earlier this month and is now attempting to revive his government’s popularity, amid polling that shows his CAQ party trailing behind the Parti Québécois ahead of the 2026 election.

“In the coming months, our government will focus on four areas of action: the economy and Quebecers’ wallets, efficiency, security, and identity,” Legault told the Assembly on Tuesday.

Cultural indentity front and centre

In a lengthy section of his speech, Legault emphasized the importance of defending Quebec’s cultural identity in the digital age.

He highlighted a 75% increase in the culture budget over his tenure and announced the opening of the province’s first National Museum of Quebec History, set to launch next summer in Quebec City.

“The Quebec culture I love, our books, songs, cinema, and language, is what brings us together as a nation,” Legault said, warning that digital platforms are diluting exposure to local culture, especially among youth.

“We have absolutely everything we need to become some of the most powerful, safest, and most importantly, happiest nations on the planet. Thank you,” he concluded.

Critics not convinced

As the National Assembly resumed on Tuesday, Legault was met with criticism from across the political spectrum.

“What I’m worried about right now is the CAQ starting all sorts of initiatives, just throwing the ball anywhere in this ‘Désespoir de cause,’” said Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.

“He is not on the right priorities,” said Québec Solidaire’s Ruba Ghazal. “The priorities for Quebecers are the cost of living, which is very, very high. It’s the housing crisis. These are the real priorities.”

Other critics took aim at the premier’s self-comparisons to fictional fighters like Rocky or Rambo.

“He wants to be a boxer, maybe he should stop punching Quebecers and the economy of Quebec,” said Liberal Leader Marwah Rizqy.

“For seven years, Quebec’s per capita economic growth has been stronger than that of Ontario and the rest of Canada. This is unprecedented,” Legault argued in defence of his track record.

But political analysts are also skeptical of whether a reset is enough to change voters’ minds.

“Whatever your election issue is, Legault and his team have given you reason to not want them back,” said political analyst Karim Boulos.

“I don’t think that there’s really any way to salvage, you know, a Hail Mary in the last 11 months and have everybody in Quebec change their opinions of the performance of the CAQ thus far,” he added.

Voters weigh in

On the streets, Quebecers appear divided on whether the premier can turn things around.

“François Legault, he has one year left. He can play Rambo, he can take the hits… but I think it’s over for him,” said one Montrealer.

“Now he’s trying to redo his goddamn caucus. He ain’t gonna come in. He’s gonna be bye-bye,” added another.

Still, not everyone is writing him off.

“I couldn’t say. You know, with Quebecers, the cursor of public opinion varies… No one is safe from a political resurrection in Quebec. That’s democracy,” said another Montrealer.

With files from The Canadian Press, Sept. 30, 2025.