Blanchet: Federal election reversed the balance of power between Ottawa and the provinces
Yves-François Blanchet believes that the election has completely reversed the balance of power between the provinces and the federal government.
The Bloc Quebecois leader, who met with his caucus in Saint-Sauveur, in the Laurentians, on Monday, believes that by confirming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority status, voters have taken away all authority to impose conditions federal transfers to the provinces.
He says the country has lost six to seven weeks in its fight against the pandemic and that fight must be the top priority, as must the resulting health transfers.
Worse still, he believes that these lost weeks, which should have been devoted to raising awareness about vaccination, have given “an extraordinary platform to opponents of vaccination, who have rallied behind Maxime Bernier.”
Blanchet is accusing Trudeau of being directly responsible for this push by the People's Party of Canada, which has latched onto the anti-sanitary measures and anti-vaccine movement in order to attract votes.
In addition to the pandemic and health transfers, the Bloc leader has put the climate emergency on Parliament's agenda and promises to be “tough” on the issue, saying it is necessary to “stop the hypocrisy of saying the words and not doing the deeds.”
He still plans to hold meetings with the leaders of the other parties to lay the groundwork for a way of operating that will allow Parliament to function, but these will be one-on-one meetings, not group meetings, a situation he said would only lead to unproductive and unnecessary fights.
One thing is certain, he said: this Parliament will not be dissolved for several years because he is convinced that “no one will have the audacity to even fantasize about throwing Canada and Quebec back into an election for several years.”
And the burden of continuity, he points out, rests entirely on Trudeau’s shoulders.
“It is the duty and the sole duty of the prime minister to always find a partner to get things passed the way he wants them passed, if not to negotiate, to improve them before they are passed. But there must be no more election blackmail, especially not from the government.”
- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Sept. 27, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Amber Alert issued for 2 toddlers near Quebec City
Police have issued an Amber Alert for two children who have gone missing from the Saint-Raphaël area.
Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake' after Rafah strike kills dozens of Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a 'tragic mistake' had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and killed at least 45 people, according to local officials.
What Canadian grocery shoppers need to know about anticompetitive allegations
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Indigo Books & Music shareholders vote to approve privatization sale
Indigo Books & Music Inc. shareholders have voted to approve a deal that will see the retailer become a private company.
Mike Tyson had medical issue on cross-country flight
Boxing legend Mike Tyson required medical attention after experiencing an 'ulcer flare up' toward the end of a cross-country flight Sunday, his representatives confirmed to the New York Post.
Canada pledges visas for 5,000 Gaza residents related to Canadians
Canada said on Monday it would grant temporary visas to 5,000 Gaza residents under a special program for Canadians' relatives living in the war-torn enclave, a preparatory move in case they are able to leave in the future.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
Latest deadly weather in U.S. kills at least 20 as storms carve path of ruin across multiple states
Powerful storms killed at least 20 people, injured hundreds and left a wide trail of destruction across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where dozens sought shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
North Korea says its attempt to put another spy satellite into orbit has failed
A North Korean rocket carrying its second spy satellite exploded midair on Monday, state media reported, after its neighbours strongly rebuked its planned launch.