Environment Minister Benoit Charette tried to defend his record while representatives from Québec Solidaire (QS), the Parti Québécois (PQ) and the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) outlined their respective plans during a debate on the environment and the climate crisis Saturday in Montréal .
Posted at 5:00 am
Frederik Xavier Duhamel The press
In a formula without direct exchange, the four participants took turns answering short short questions on topics ranging from environmental justice to waste management.
The Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ) did not respond to the invitation, organizers said.
QS and PQ crossfire
Ruba Ghazal, MP and QS candidate in Mercier, and Cédric Gagnon-Dcharme, PQ candidate in Verchères, chained specific proposals and attacks on Mr Charette and his government. The PLQ candidate at Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Désirée McGraw, responded most frequently in general terms, sticking to her text and sometimes deviating from the topics submitted.
Mr Charette, whose green economy plan has just been described as a “missed opportunity” by the David Suzuki Foundation, highlighted achievements by the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) such as registry reform and the creation of protected areas.
He also praised the sums pledged by his government, particularly 325 million to combat heat islands. Minister Benoit Charette also recalled the $56 billion currently planned “to develop public transit services,” a figure not reached in the Québec Infrastructure Plan (PQI) 2022-2032 as certain projects “are under development.” he explained.
Ms Ghazal accused him of his “inconsistency” while the government is rushing its project for a third Quebec-Lévis link and its various highway extensions, while its own climate change expert committee recommends putting a stop to it.
mass promises
The QS MP also brought forward ideas from her party, such as phasing out the use of fossil fuels to heat buildings and allocating 1% of PQI investment to greening cities. She also recalled that QS wanted to invest heavily in public transport and reduce costs for users, protect 30% of the province by 2030, recognize Quebec residents’ “right to repair” and give legal personality to the Saint Laurent River.
His proposals and those of Mr Gagnon-Ducharme of the PQ were often in phase. The latter notably recalled his party’s commitments to double investment in public transport and create a “climate passport” for all these services. He also proposed protection of natural spaces and electrification of transport, stressing that the PQ is the only party proposing to revise the law in relation to threatened or endangered species.
Ms McGraw of the PLQ praised her party’s “ECO project” and the €100 billion investment promised to achieve carbon neutrality. She also said she wants to bet on better funding for public transport, which the PLQ wants to make free for students and seniors. Finally, the candidate in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce called for an increase in water taxes and for investments in the fight against invasive species.