As you might expect, recent Québec political news has been largely overshadowed by the turmoil south of the border. However, beyond this American media eclipse, other noteworthy topics deserve your attention. As always, the Québec Now team serves them up on a platter for you.
Tariff threats boost Liberals in the polls
In addition to uniting Canadians from coast to coast, the U.S. administration’s threats to impose tariffs on Canadian and Québec products had an unexpected effect: it revitalized the Québec Liberal Party (PLQ), which had been languishing in the lower ranks of the polls. The PLQ is now tied for second place in voting intentions with the CAQ at 21%. The PQ remains first with 30%, though its support is slipping. This has injected new energy into the ongoing PLQ leadership race!
Denis Coderre disqualified from PLQ leadership race
The first major candidate to declare his candidacy for the Québec Liberal Party leadership, former Montréal mayor Denis Coderre, received a nasty surprise. The PLQ electoral committee announced that his candidacy had been rejected due to multiple tax issues with both Québec and Canadian authorities. The outspoken politician has decided not to appeal the decision, asserting that 'the dice were loaded from the start.
Energy reform: Uncertain future for the bill
Uncertainty continues to surround the CAQ’s ambitious energy reform, Bill 69. In recent weeks, a group of industrial and manufacturing players asked Minister Christine Fréchette to abandon the planned industrial tariff increase included in the bill. While the minister initially seemed open to the idea, Premier Legault quickly slammed the door shut. The detailed study of the bill has now begun, and it remains to be seen whether the minister will introduce amendments to reassure stakeholders.
Forcing new doctors to work in the public sector? Uproar in parliamentary committee
Health Minister Christian Dubé kicked off the parliamentary session with a bang during consultations on Bill 83, which aims to require new doctors to work in the public health network for five years before they can practice privately, under threat of penalties. Witnesses heard in committee systematically dissected the proposal. Some observers believe this bill might be a government tactic in ongoing negotiations over doctors’ working conditions. The minister, however, claims broad public support for his initiative.
Health budget cuts: Minister Dubé eases up
As parliamentary work resumes, more voices are denouncing the impact of $1.5 billion in budget cuts to patient care at Santé Québec . Every week brings new revelations: job cuts affecting vulnerable populations, delays in infrastructure investments, and hiring freezes. While the minister sees these criticisms as a diversionary tactic by doctors’ unions that oppose Bill 83 (see previous section), he still softened his tone, asking Santé Québec to “do its best” to meet its reduction target.
Minor Cabinet adjustment
The Premier used the resumption of parliamentary work to make a slight adjustment to his Cabinet. Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette now takes on the additional role of minister responsible for Canadian Relations, tasked with drafting a Québec constitution – a long-cherished project of his. This responsibility previously belonged to Jean-François Roberge, who, as Minister of Immigration, French Language, and Secularism, was already set for a busy parliamentary session (see next section).
New immigration bill tabled
Lagging in the polls, the CAQ decided to return to themes that have brought it success in the past: immigration and secularism. Minister Jean-François Roberge introduced a sweeping framework bill aimed at defining Québec’s model for integrating newcomers: “national integration.” This model stands in contrast to Canadian multiculturalism, which is not popular in Québec. The enthusiastic minister likened his bill to the Secularism Act and the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, but many observers remain skeptical for now.
By-election set for March 17
While the PQ, riding high in the polls, had been clamoring for a by-election in Terrebonne, the CAQ government finally announced it would be held on March 17, to replace outgoing minister Pierre Fitzgibbon. The CAQ will bet on Alex Gagné – a young candidate who works at a foundation focussed on reducing the school dropout rate – to defend this now-threatened CAQ stronghold. This vote promises to be crucial as Québec’s political power dynamics grow increasingly unpredictable.
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