Latest news with #FrançoisLegault
CTV News
an hour ago
- Business
- CTV News
Support for the third link: ‘It's fantastic,' says minister
Quebec Minister for Infrastructure Jonatan Julien answers questions during a press scrum at the opening of the Coalition Avenir Québec caucus in Saguenay on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Francis Vachon) Even though the cost and route of the third link are still unknown, Jonatan Julien, minister for the Capitale-Nationale region, is enthusiastic to see that the project is still popular in Quebec City. 'I am happy to see that 70 per cent of people support this project ... It's fantastic. We must move forward,' he said during a press conference on Tuesday at the National Assembly. A SOM poll published in Le Soleil on Tuesday morning indicates that 70 per cent of citizens surveyed are in favour of the third link project between Quebec City and Lévis. The CAQ government has been very indecisive about the project. In April 2023, Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault abandoned the project for a motorway link between Quebec City and Lévis. Instead, she proposed a tunnel dedicated to public transport. Then, in October 2023, less than 24 hours after his crushing defeat in Jean-Talon against the Parti Québécois (PQ), Premier François Legault took everyone by surprise by announcing that he wanted to consult the people of Quebec City about the third link and that all options were on the table. The project was revived in June 2024 despite an unfavourable report from the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. At present, the route and cost of the project are still unknown. Minister Guilbault is expected to unveil the chosen corridor shortly. 'Election gimmick' Québec solidaire (QS), which strongly opposes the project, believes that support for the project is being maintained due to 'lobbying.' 'There is strong lobbying by the Lévis Chamber of Commerce and certain private media outlets in Quebec City pushing for this project. I understand that people are tired of being stuck in traffic. Quite honestly, I understand them. I sympathize with them. However, the real solutions to put forward are not to add more traffic lanes,' said QS MNA Etienne Grandmont, who describes the project as an 'electoral gimmick.' The third link is nothing more than an 'electoral fad,' according to PQ MNA Pascal Paradis. 'It's an issue that is being used for electoral purposes by the CAQ. Promises are made before the elections, and now we're heading towards a general election in 2026. Suddenly, we're back to the third link, and it's costing us a lot of money,' he said. The SOM-Le Soleil poll was conducted from 27 to 30 May 2025 among 929 French-speaking Quebec adults in the Quebec City census metropolitan area (CMA). The maximum margin of error for all respondents is +/- 4.9%, 19 times out of 20. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 3, 2025.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Legault praises Carney, but did not discuss immigration with him
Quebec Premier Francois Legault had glowing praise for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney after the First Ministers' Conference in Saskatchewan. (Francois Legault/X) Premier François Legault has fallen under the spell of his federal counterpart Mark Carney. Returning from the First Ministers' Conference held Monday in Saskatoon, he praised the economic speech given by the new leader of the federal Liberal government. In a brief news scrum before heading to question period at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Legault said he had never talked so much about the economy with a Canadian prime minister as he did on Monday. Rencontre constructive à Saskatoon, avec le premier ministre @MarkJCarney et mes collègues des provinces. On n'a jamais autant parlé d'économie avec un premier ministre du Canada. Nos projets ont été bien accueillis, et on a senti une réelle volonté du fédéral de réaliser des… — François Legault (@francoislegault) June 2, 2025 The day before, Ontario Premier Doug Ford had literally delivered a declaration of love to Carney at the end of Monday's meeting, which did not, however, result in any firm commitments. Legault did not, however, discuss the sensitive issue of immigration with Carney, a bone of contention between the federal government and Quebec. In the House, he defended himself by arguing that the theme of Monday's meeting was the economy. He also said that Ottawa was aware of Quebec's demand to halve federal immigration from 400,000 to 200,000. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 3, 2025.
CBC
12 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
'The sooner the better' for Churchill Falls projects, Hogan says after meeting with PM
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier John Hogan says the Churchill Falls memorandum of understanding holds up, but federal assistance would be "great." Hogan was in Saskatoon on Monday for the first ministers' meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Nation-building infrastructure projects are on the minds of many, and Carney has said he intends to fast-track them. The Canadian Press reported last week that Quebec Premier François Legault is expected to ask the federal government to help fund transmission lines that will connect Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec to power generated by projects along the Churchill River. A draft agreement signed in December says a new deal would cost Hydro-Quebec at least $33.8 billion. Hogan confirmed that he and Legault have been discussing that idea as he spoke to reporters before Monday's conference. "We're happy to talk about that and any assistance that can benefit Newfoundland and Labrador, our ratepayers and our taxpayers," he said. "But it is important to continue with the MOU. I want Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to know we're not taking our eye off that project right now." Hydro-Quebec will construct the required transmission in its province, and N.L. Hydro is set to construct about 340 kilometres of transmission lines in Labrador, according to a fact sheet from the provincial government. Whether or not the federal government pitches in to build those lines, Hogan says Newfoundland and Labrador is in good hands. "If there can be further assistance and further discussion to make the project better, great. But if not, the project is a good project," said Hogan. The Newfoundland and Labrador government says the proposed Churchill Falls deal will see the province earn $1 billion every year for the next 17 years. Newly minted Energy Minister Steve Crocker says the province has an important seat at the table when it comes to providing green energy. "Any investment in Churchill Falls would not only benefit Quebec, but it'd benefit Newfoundland and Labrador as well," said Crocker, speaking from the Energy NL conference Monday. The minister didn't say that the province is specifically asking for the federal government to finance the transmission lines, but said Newfoundland and Labrador is working with them to ensure its resources "will contribute greatly to nation building in Canada." In a news conference after the first ministers' meeting, Legault told reporters that he thinks the new Churchill Falls deal, and the proposed Gull Island generating station, is a project of national interest. Carney, speaking in French, said he fully agrees with the Quebec premier. The governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec plan to sign binding agreements by April 2026. The prime minister said the premiers and territorial leaders discussed several projects and the federal government will assess whether they can be fast-tracked over the next few months.
Global News
16 hours ago
- Business
- Global News
Quebec willing to listen to pipeline proposals, premier says
At a meeting of Canada's premiers in Saskatchewan, François Legault said he's willing to listen to proposals about a new pipeline through the province. He said any pipeline through the province would need to be approved by the government of Quebec. 'We need to see what's the economic impact back for Quebec, what is the impact on the environment,' he said. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy This is a far cry from when Legault called Alberta's oil dirty back in 2018, saying there was no social acceptability for more of it flowing through Quebec Now, tariffs from the United States are threatening the Canadian economy, and Prime Minister Carney is talking about making Canada an energy superpower. 'If there's a project going to Quebec, we will study it,' he said. For the full story, watch the video above.
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
N.B. premier supports prioritizing pipelines at meeting as Alberta seeks non-east coast routes
New Brunswick's premier, Susan Holt, says she's interested in what may come from pipelines being front-and-centre at meetings between the Prime Minister and first ministers, as Alberta's premier looks for potential pipeline ports away from eastern Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney asked the premiers to bring ideas and priorities for 'nation-building' projects to the meeting in Saskatoon. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe have indicated pipeline capacity as their top line items. Holt was asked by reporters Monday, before entering the meeting, where she stood on pipelines being prioritized. 'We're really interested in getting that kind of infrastructure from coast-to-coast-to-coast,' said Holt. 'We want to make sure all of Canada can benefit from its resources. So, when we look at the kind of partnerships that are coming from the east, they include that kind of infrastructure.' In May, Holt listed her meeting priorities as including a push on critical mineral development, modular home construction, and port capacity for increased trade. As for pipelines, Holt said it would require buy-in from several sectors. In recent months Quebec Premier François Legault has been noted for being open to a discussion about pipelines. He responded to reporter questions about pipeline support on Monday by saying, 'no proposal was before him.' 'If there's a project going through Quebec we will study it,' said Legault. 'That's all what I said.' Smith told reporters her attention was shifting on pipeline developments going to ports in northern British Columbia and Manitoba, avoiding Quebec. 'I'm interested in working with partners who want to work with me,' Smith said, before entering the meeting. 'I got to work where I think we're going to have the most success. And where I think we'll have the most success right now is working on a corridor between Hudson Bay and Prince Rupert. I'm hoping we can get some common ground on that.' Smith defended tying pipeline support to national unity, as musings ramp up from some Alberta residents about separating from Canada. 'You have to understand just how damaged Alberta is by the fact that we didn't get pipelines built,' said Smith, referring to the failure of past proposed projects including Energy East.
