The political week in review | The hills notebook

From Quebec to Ottawa, find out what caught the attention of our parliamentary correspondents this week.

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Quote of the week

Number of the week

11,861

Despite his catch-up plan, Health Minister Christian Dubé misses his target of reducing the number of surgical procedures pending for more than a year to 7,600 as of March 31. The latest report from the Ministry of Health and Social Services reveals that 11,861 Quebecers are still on the waiting list.

Small surveys, big sulk

François Legault no longer answers questions from journalists as he leaves his office to head to the Salon bleu and participate in parliamentary work. This week, following one of these marches where he was peppered with questions, a Radio-Canada microphone picked up his exasperated comments: “How many weeks will it take for them to understand? » He could ask Justin Trudeau the question. The Canadian Prime Minister is also moving further and further away from the microphones handed to him by parliamentary journalists. Those who used to take part in the exercise on the sidelines of cabinet and caucus meetings (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) or question period hardly do so anymore, and have not done so for weeks. “Hello, everyone,” he usually just offers. Ditto for François Legault.

A high hand for Canada

The Conservative Party’s promotional merchandise lacks grammatical common sense. In English, it goes: “ Common sense for Canada », we read in capital letters on the hockey jersey distributed to the elected representatives of the training. It’s in French that things get bad: “Common sense for Canada.” In addition, the slogan written on the sign held on Sunday evening by MP Dominique Vien during the announcement of Eric Lefebvre’s candidacy in Victoriaville (“Quebec for Pierre”) does not pass the test either. To meditate while listening again to a souvenir success of the 2019 Liberal campaign, or by remembering what the leader of the Bloc Québécois Gilles Duceppe often said: in Ottawa, the two official languages ​​are English… and simultaneous translation.

Watch the 2019 Liberal campaign video

Good luck with the Revenue Agency!

The Premier of Saskatchewan will get a taste of Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) medicine if he persists in not paying the federal carbon tax. “Good luck with all of this, Prime Minister Moe,” exclaimed Justin Trudeau on Wednesday. Angered by the exemption on fuel oil deliveries from which the Atlantic provinces benefit more, Scott Moe decided that from 1^er January this tax would no longer be collected on natural gas heating and electric heating, which is mainly produced from fossil fuels in Saskatchewan. “I don’t know about you, but having a fight with the CRA over your refusal to pay your taxes is not a situation I want for anyone,” Mr. Trudeau texted. There Pollution Pricing Act provides for steep penalties and even a prison sentence of 12 months in such a case.

Manon Massé returns to service

After undergoing a third heart operation, Manon Massé returns to work. The former co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire who suffered from cardiac arrhythmia had to be absent again in March. “Good news everyone. Here I am back on my two feet! », Wrote the member for Sainte-Marie–Saint-Jacques on social networks on Thursday. “Since my last operation, I have taken some time off to heal, rebuild my strength and regain my energy. You understand that undergoing three heart operations requires special attention. (…) I am returning to work, but gradually. This time, I want it to be good,” she added. Welcome back !

Carbon Tax Carney

The Conservatives on the Standing Committee on Finance plan to present a motion next Tuesday in the hope of having Mark Carney – or Carbon Tax Carney, as Pierre Poilievre nicknamed him on the social network X a few days ago. The financial expertise of the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England seems to interest the party less than his supposed political ambitions, according to the press release published Friday by the party. “It is clear that Mr. Carney is positioning himself for (Justin) Trudeau’s position and, as he tries to attract as much media attention as possible, he should welcome the Conservatives’ invitation to appear before the Committee,” it reads. The party also says it wants to trap the NDP, which will have to face “the decision to cover up for Justin Trudeau by preventing his successor from testifying,” according to the conservative analysis.

“The case of the bag”

Geneviève Guilbault searched for a long time in her handbag while she was questioned by PQ MP Joël Arseneau during the study of her ministry’s appropriations. The leader of the PQ, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, criticized his “casualness”, which he associated with a “repeat” of last year, where M^me Guilbault had fun “inserting original words” during this important accountability exercise. The Minister of Transport then explained herself during question period. “We’re going to clarify the matter of the bag. (…) The few documents that I carry with me every day are in my huge bag,” she said. Caquist Christopher Skeete did not appreciate this exit from the PQ. “It started with the shoes of one of my colleagues and now the bag of another. I will say it simply, ENOUGH is the relentlessness (on) our elected officials,” he wrote on social media. “Attacking our ideas, not these strong, formidable women,” Skeete added.