Federal interference criticized | “Quebec has its own way of doing things,” admits Trudeau

(Ottawa and Quebec) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recognized Thursday that housing was under provincial jurisdiction while announcing funds for new daycare spaces, another area of ​​provincial jurisdiction. The Legault government does not appreciate Ottawa coming to play in its flowerbeds. An encroachment also denounced in the National Assembly by the opposition parties with the exception of the Liberal Party.

“When it comes to protecting the rights of tenants, we recognize that it is a concern, a provincial (competence),” Mr. Trudeau responded to a journalist’s question. “We will always be there to work in a way that recognizes the distinct character and different rules in Quebec. »

The fact remains that “more and more people are overwhelmed by the cost of living, particularly the cost of rent”. “That’s why we are here to help and to work hand in hand with the provinces while respecting skills,” he added.

The federal Prime Minister was in the city of Surrey in British Columbia on Thursday where he continued to unveil some of the measures in the federal budget expected on April 16. He announced the creation of a new loan program totaling $1 billion to create new places in public, non-profit daycare centers. The government will also grant 60 million in subsidies.

It adds 10 million over two years for the training of early childhood educators and tries to encourage them to work in rural and remote regions by offering to forgive their student loans if they choose to settle there. A measure which will cost 48 million over four years.

“I understand that the federal government wants to make great announcements for citizens, but it does not make good sense for it to do so in the areas of provincial jurisdiction, and I repeat, if it wants to take care of , that he takes care of temporary immigration,” declared Prime Minister François Legault passing through Henryville in Montérégie on Thursday.

Quebec, which had concluded a 6 billion agreement with Ottawa for childcare services in 2021, quickly demanded an “unconditional right of withdrawal with full compensation and without conditions”.

“We have always recognized that Quebec has its way of doing things, particularly with today’s announcement on daycare spaces,” recalled Mr. Trudeau.

On Wednesday, the Legault government presented a clear refusal to Justin Trudeau, who will introduce measures to improve the quality of life of tenants in the next federal budget. The creation of a standard nationwide lease and a tenants’ charter which would include a rent register has raised an outcry.

“The answer is simple, it’s no,” retorted the Minister responsible for Canadian Relations Jean-François Roberge.

The idea of ​​creating such a register was not included in the housing law (bill 31) adopted by the Legault government in February because it was considered too costly.

QS and the PQ denounce

Thursday, it was the turn of Québec solidaire and the Parti Québécois to denounce this new encroachment into a field of provincial jurisdiction. However, the Legault government has no right to be surprised, according to them.

“Mr. Trudeau clearly sees that for this government, the housing crisis is the last priority. He is not stupid, he sees a political opportunity,” said the parliamentary leader of Québec solidaire, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.

According to him, the “indignation” of the Legault government “is very misplaced” while the Coalition Avenir Québec is “responsible” for this intervention in the province’s field of jurisdiction.

This is one more example which confirms that the balance of power of the Legault government before Ottawa is “zero”, believes the leader of the Parti Québécois, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.

“Even very weakened in the polls, Ottawa and Justin Trudeau do not fear the 89 deputies of the CAQ,” asserted the PQ leader. He accuses Mr. Trudeau of having himself “ignited” the housing crisis with his migration policies which caused “an imbalance”.

According to him, it is necessary “as quickly as possible for the separatists in power to get us out (…) of a corrosive and disrespectful regime for Quebec”.

Twice rather than once, the Liberal Party of Quebec did not agree on Thursday to motions tabled by the government and the Parti Québécois to denounce federal “encroachment” in an area of ​​provincial jurisdiction.

In the press scrum, the Liberals indicated that they wanted to learn “the details” of Justin Trudeau’s proposals before calling out interference in the province’s jurisdiction.