If elected at the head of the country, the conservative leader Erin O’Toole intends to negotiate again with Quebec to conclude an agreement that would finance early childhood centers (CPEs).
In a letter to the Prime Minister Francois Legault and relayed Tuesday by the Quebecor media, Mr. O’Toole reiterates his promise of a meeting in the first 100 days of a Conservative government to discuss this issue with Quebec.
He stresses that in its financial framework, there is “funding, without any attached conditions” for the network of childcare centers, in addition to direct assistance to parents. He thus refers to the fact that the agreements with the provinces on day care centers would be maintained for one year, in 2021-2022. For subsequent years, the Conservatives are taking back $ 26.7 billion of the $ 30 billion budgeted by the Liberals for five years for a national child care program. It is in this $ 30 billion that the Liberals calculated $ 6 billion for Quebec, without conditions.
“In the first 100 days of a Conservative government, I will sit down with you to reach an agreement that will allow Quebec City and Ottawa to achieve their respective objectives, which will respect both Quebec’s priorities in child care. ‘children, as well as the duties of the federal government towards other provinces in the field, ”wrote the Conservative leader.
Without detailing the amounts, the leader of the Conservative Party indicates in his letter that his financial framework provides for “money for future agreements with the provinces”.
At a press briefing on Tuesday morning, he refused to put a figure on his intentions.
“It is with this fund that I intend to honor my commitment to coordinate my approach to childcare with your priority, the Quebec CPE program, which has been working well for more than 20 years,” adds Mr. O ‘ Toole, recognizing that the approach with Quebec will be different.
He also reiterated his commitment to increase “unconditional” health transfers and to give Quebec more powers in the area of health.immigration.
“If Canadians and Quebeckers choose me as Prime Minister on September 20, you will have a partner in Ottawa, someone who respects Quebec, the Quebec nation and the pride that drives you. A premier who respects the provinces’ right to legislate in their areas of jurisdiction, and who does not challenge provincial laws in court, ”said O’Toole in his letter.
This statement comes less than a week after François Legault’s tacit support for the Conservatives. For the Quebec premier, Erin O’Toole’s formation seems the most open to Quebec’s demands and the most respectful of the areas of provincial jurisdiction, unlike the Liberals, New Democrats and Greens.
From the outset in his letter, Mr. O’Toole said he shared Mr. Legault’s opinion on the importance of respecting provincial jurisdiction. He promises to establish “a federalism of partnership” if he becomes Prime Minister of Canada on September 20.
“The years when Ottawa believed it could tell the provinces what to do will be firmly behind us,” he concludes.
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