Legault must get a second meeting with Carney: PLQ says

Premier François Legault must quickly sit down with the leader of the federal election campaign, Liberal Mark Carney, believes the Official Opposition in Quebec City.

It’s vital that Quebec’s premier build a healthy, constructive relationship with the man who stands to govern the country, according to Marc Tanguay, interim leader of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ).

In a telephone interview on Monday, Tanguay said the bitterness between Legault and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had hurt Quebecers.

“François Legault quarreled with Justin Trudeau for seven years. Look at the results: (…) health transfers, infrastructure, public transit, (…) Quebec didn’t get its fair share,” he declared.

“What I’m asking François Legault is to make sure he has another meeting with Mr. Carney (…) during this campaign.”

Legault first met Carney before the election campaign was launched. He said he spoke to him about the economy and immigration.

He then applauded Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who promised to give Quebec the power to select some of the temporary immigrants from the International Mobility Program (PMI).

Legault has not held a formal meeting with Yves-François Blanchet of the Bloc Québécois, Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party or the Greens.

On Monday, Tanguay drew up his own list of priorities related to federal-provincial policy issues, which he hopes will be taken up by Legault in his discussions.

For example, the leaders of the various federal political parties must commit to respecting Quebec’s areas of jurisdiction and transferring the entire PMI to Quebec, he indicated.

In the event of an initiative encroaching on Quebec’s jurisdiction, they must promise to grant the province the right to opt out, with full compensation and no strings attached.

On the economic front, the PLQ wants party leaders to commit to consulting the provinces and territories, and obtaining their prior agreement, before negotiating international economic agreements.

Tanguay is also calling for the abolition of interprovincial trade barriers, protection of the supply management system and support for the forestry, aluminum and aeronautics sectors.

The PLQ also calls for improved health transfers, increased infrastructure investment, and “active participation” by the federal government in public transit projects.

Finally, he calls for better support for the media, and recognition of Radio-Canada’s leading role in providing information and culture in Quebec.

“It’s time for François Legault to develop a healthy relationship with Canada’s next prime minister (…) He must start afresh (…) No more bickering with Ottawa,” said Tanguay.

Although he is calling on the federal parties – he expects each party to present a platform for Quebec – Tanguay assures us that the PLQ will not be taking a position in the federal campaign.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews