MONTREAL | The day after the second and final debate of the campaign, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois sharpened his tone against François Legault, who he accused of lying and misinformation about the Quebec Solidaire plan.
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“He spends his campaign crying against Québec Solidaire and misinforming Quebecers about the Québec Solidaire plan. […] I have no intention of letting myself be done,” warned Mr Nadeau-Dubois, returning to the exchanges he had during the debate with whoever he describes as his main opponent.
In one of his most heated discussions with his left-wing rival, François Legault hinted that Quebec Solidaire’s demise discourse could lead to business closures.
Unworthy remarks
“I think Quebecers have a right to know which stores you want to close in which region,” the chief caquiste said Thursday night, questioning Mr Nadeau-Dubois directly.
“When Mr. Legault says we’re going to shut down industries, he’s lying to Quebecers and that’s unworthy of someone who wants to run for prime minister,” Mr. Nadeau-Dubois said while answering questions from journalists Friday morning.
“Closing a store is out of the question,” he assured. François Legault tells stories of fear. François Legault is Monsieur Impossible, Monsieur we are not capable.”
GND the magician?
The co-speaker also defended himself from appearing “magic,” the CAQ leader hammered during the debate.
“Let’s talk magic,” Mr. Nadeau-Dubois replied. The only political party that hasn’t done magic in its budget is Quebec Solidaire.
“And that’s not my opinion, it’s the latest report from the Department of Taxation at Sherbrooke University showing that all the other political parties have been pranking their leaders. The only political party that hasn’t pulled the magic trick on its budget is Quebec Solidaire,” he argued.
Climatic changes
Although the environment was one of the first issues discussed during Thursday night’s debate, no one spoke of climate change adaptation, Mr Nadeau-Dubois noted.
Hurricane Fiona is now heading towards Quebec after the torrential rains that battered the greater Montreal area last week, the Left leader recalled.
“What it reminds us of, and it’s a brutal reminder, is that climate change has started, that we need to adapt to climate change,” he said.
During a speech to the Quebec Federation of Municipalities, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois pledged to release a $45 million annual and recurring emergency framework to help municipalities adapt their infrastructure to climate change.
“Climate change is not the future, we have both feet on it,” he reminded the mayors, prefects and elected officials from several Quebec municipalities and RCMs gathered in Montreal.
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