Pierre Poilievre is betting that he doesn’t need the nationalist creeds of his predecessors to win the favor of Quebecers.
His wife Anaida is from Quebec, his father is of French-Canadian origin, he understands Quebec, that’s enough. He cited “My Ancestors” as evidence and admired our vehement defense of our language and our culture.
If it just could be that easy.
In his search for simple solutions to ultra-complex problems, Pierre Poilievre makes the same mistake as his opponents from other federal parties. Infrastructure, health, he is encroaching on Quebec’s jurisdiction with both feet.
It shows that common sense has its limits.
Fast fast fast
Of course, we in Quebec are very pleased with his commitment to end the duplication of environmental impact assessments. Good news for the future dams that François Legault dreams of.
Build, build, build! A beautiful slogan that ends up in the flowerbeds of Quebec.
Municipal infrastructure funds would be made dependent on housing construction in cities increasing by 15%.
And it doesn’t stop there. The Conservative leader wants to tie funding for any new public transport project to the construction of affordable housing nearby.
It’s sure it makes sense in Singapore, it’s likely it would work in Regina, but in Quebec?
Has Pierre Poilievre forgotten that “cities are creatures of the provinces”?
We bet François Legault will be quick to remind him of that, even as he shares his anger at the cumbersome city bureaucracy.
Common sense or not, a Poilievre government must negotiate and add water to the wine.
The Blue Seal
And in the health sector it becomes even more difficult.
In his crusade against bureaucracies of all kinds, Pierre Poilievre wants to attack professional regulations.
His solution? The Blue Seal.
Similar to the Red Seal, which allows artisans to have their skills recognized from one province to another, the Blue Seal would make it easier to recognize the skills of foreign doctors and nurses.
A Poilievre government therefore intends to persuade the provinces to accept a single exam to ensure the certification of these health professionals within 60 days!
So simple, in fact, that the idea is gaining traction in several Canadian provinces. What the Conservatives failed to realize, however, is that Quebec officially opposes it. Health is their area of responsibility, as is professional regulation.
As one healthcare source told me, “There is a world of difference between a diploma and the requirements of the field.”
In addition, the construction industry and medicine are worlds apart…
Time
Conservative strategists will tell you that Pierre Poilievre’s policies will become clearer by the next election. That the pitfalls are overcome.
They rely on the presumption of good faith that comes with their customary respect for provincial autonomy.
Perhaps. But in politics, common sense is more complicated than quoting Lucien Bouchard and Mes Aïeux, it should require respect for the Constitution.
