Recent political and social developments in Québec are full of twists and turns, from ethical scandals affecting the political class to reforms sparking passionate debate. As the government grapples with hot-button issues in health care, youth protection and immigration, new political figures are emerging who could redefine the province's political future. Here's a roundup of Québec's news highlights.
CAQ MNA severely reprimanded by Ethics Commissioner
An other CAQ MNA, Sylvain Lévesque, has received a serious reprimand from the Ethics Commissioner of the National Assembly. Among other things, Lévesque is accused of having voluntarily made misleading statements to the commissioner during an investigation into him. The CAQ is also implicated because of the party’s voter information software. The software and data are used by MNAs and political staff in the performance of their duties, enabling them to collect and consult personal and partisan data on citizens. MNA Lévesque, who was also vice-president of the National Assembly, announced his resignation from that position. There's sure to be more to come on this issue!
A bill to force doctors to start their careers in the public sector
The Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, has announced his intention to introduce a bill shortly that would force new doctors to begin their careers in the public health network. At present, the details of such a bill remain unknown. Opposition parties, however, are cautiously optimistic, as they are equally concerned about the growing exodus of doctors to the private sector.
The Bloc Québécois will bring down the Trudeau government
As the ultimatum to the Liberal Party of Canada expires, and probably also due to the pressure exerted by François Legault in Québec City, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet has made up his mind: his party will bring down Justin Trudeau's Liberal government at the first opportunity, even if it means joining forces with Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party. More than ever, Justin Trudeau's political survival seems to be hanging by a thread, and more specifically, on the support of the NDP, which even after tearing up its agreement with the Liberals, doesn't seem inclined, for the moment, to head for an early election.
Serial scandals at the DPJ
After the Mauricie-Centre-du-Québec Youth Protection Branch (DPJ) was placed in trusteeship, the government was confronted with the discovery of several other scandals throughout the youth protection network. In the Eastern Townships, the DPJ attempted to separate triplets by force, even though their mother had the capacity to take custody of them. In Cité-des-Prairies, a major sex scandal was uncovered: several caregivers were alleged to have had long-term sexual relationships with residents, with the knowledge of their superiors. These series of scandals will certainly put the CAQ government on the defensive at the National Assembly.
Opposition calls for Lionel Carmant's resignation over youth protection scandals
Faced with growing controversy in the child protection network under his responsibility, Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant had no choice but to dismiss the National Director of Youth Protection, whom he had appointed just a few years ago in the wake of a major reform. For the opposition parties, however, this was not enough: they demanded nothing less than the Minister's resignation. While the Premier was quick to rule out this demand regarding a minister he describes as "a friend", the government will have its work cut out to regain control of an issue that has been distracting from its political objectives for several weeks now.
Immigration: the government takes a major step forward
The Québec government has taken advantage of the past few weeks to set the tone for immigration. First, the new Minister of Immigration, Jean-François Roberge, ordered the suspension of two programs designed to encourage permanent immigration to Québec, in order to protect Québec's capacity to receive immigrants. A bill has also been tabled to give the government new powers in immigration matters, in particular to limit the number of foreign students. At the same time, the government is under attack for the massive closure of French-language classes for immigrants.
Pablo Rodriguez, Québec's next premier?
The entry of Pablo Rodriguez, until recently Justin Trudeau's Minister of Canadian Heritage, into the Liberal leadership race must have given his opponents a few cold sweats. An initial poll conducted a few days after his entry into the race showed that a Québec Liberal Party led by Mr. Rodriguez would garner 28% of the vote, compared to 26% for the PQ and 25% for François Legault's CAQ. Is this support just a flash in the pan, or the beginning of "Pablomania"?
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