(Quebec) As Quebec demands a billion from the federal government to cover expenses related to asylum seekers, incumbent Liberal leader Marc Tanguay brings Jean Charest back into the public debate and reiterates that François Legault has every interest in “inspiring “. in his relations with Ottawa.
Posted at 10:14 am
Thomas Laberge The Canadian Press
Marc Tanguay praised the achievements of the former liberal prime minister and recalled that it was on his initiative that the Federation Council was founded in 2003. This forum brings together the premiers of provinces and territories and allows them to make common demands against the federal government.
“This Canadian diplomacy has made it possible to develop a common front. To give Quebec and the provinces a strong position vis-à-vis Ottawa and reach a health agreement in 2004 in which Quebec got what it wanted, 4.3 billion, indexed at 6% for the following years [pour 10 ans] », explained Marc Tanguay.
“François Legault demanded 6 billion for Quebec [pour la santé] and he only got one,” the interim Liberal leader added.
The CAQ Prime Minister is attending the Council of Federation despite being absent from the last meeting in Halifax last November.
“He sees the federal government as a threat”
Marc Tanguay attributes François Legault's “repeated failures” to his lack of true belief in the Canadian federation.
He sees the federal government, including its judges, as a threat and does not build relationships with the other federal partners, as Jean Charest did. […] I will not miss an opportunity to ask François Legault to be inspired by Jean Charest.
Marc Tanguay, interim leader of the Liberals
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
Jean Charest was Prime Minister of Quebec from 2003 to 2012.
Earlier this week, four Quebec government ministers called on Ottawa to slow the arrival of asylum seekers and ensure they are better distributed across the country. The CAQ government claims the costs associated with hosting asylum seekers now exceed $1 billion and continues to demand reimbursement from the federal government.
On Thursday, Federal Minister Pablo Rodriguez did not close the door on negotiations with Quebec on additional amounts for asylum seekers, but criticized the Legault government for a lack of sensitivity on the matter.
“Why always be at odds with the federal government? Why not try to consider a win-win relationship with the federal government? “It's as if the federal government can't win if Quebec wins,” argued Marc Tanguay.
A next Liberal leader inspired by Charest?
Although he allows himself to give his political opponent advice on who to draw inspiration from, Marc Tanguay did not want to do the same for the person who will replace him at the head of the Quebec Liberal Party in 2025.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
Interim leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, Marc Tanguay
“It is clear to me that the candidates will be inspired by the good moves and successes of the Liberal prime ministers before us,” he said simply.
Jean Charest was Prime Minister of Quebec from 2003 to 2012. His reign ended abruptly in the wake of the great mobilization in Maple Spring, which ended with the victory of the Parti Québécois. The Charest government has also been marred by allegations of corruption, although no charges have been brought against the former prime minister. He tried to lead the Conservative Party of Canada, but was soundly defeated by Pierre Poilievre in 2023.