Quebec Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Alexandre Cloutier unveiled the Parti Quebecois government’s long-awaited sovereignist governance plan Wednesday in Quebec City, and it involves relying on a familiar face.

Former Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe will lead a four-person commission into changes the federal government is making to Employment Insurance.

The commission is just one aspect of a multi-part plan involves being more assertive with the federal government -- a necessity, Cloutier explains, because the federal government has made unilateral decisions that harm Quebecers, with the EI changes being a perfect example.

"We don't want to raise the level of hostility," said Cloutier.

"At the same time I say to Ottawa respect the law, respect the constitution, stop acting in Quebec's field. Stop acting in ways that affect our economy."

The EI changes will make it more difficult for seasonal workers to retain their jobs, Cloutier said, and threaten jobs in tourism, fisheries and agriculture.

The Harper government has admitted it did not study the potential impact of the changes, which are due to take effect next year, before drafting them and announcing their implementation.

The Duceppe-led, $1.5-million commission will hold public hearings on the subject over the next few months and has been asked to issue a report by Nov. 30, 2013.

 

First of many public commissions

The public hearings on EI are just one of many commissions the PQ expect to launch, with ministers saying the provincial government will hold one to discuss every major disagreement with the federal government.

The PQ’s sovereignist governance policy also aims to prevent the federal government from interfering more in areas of shared jurisdiction, such as health, the arts and labour skills training.

In addition government ministers and deputy ministers have been directed to conduct their official talks with Ottawa or the other provinces only in French, but Cloutier says that does not prevent them from communicating in English at social occasions, when corresponding by letter or on the phone.

The opposition parties are expected to react this afternoon.