QUEBEC - Premier Jean Charest is outlining a new direction for governmental policy that will focus on five pillars: education, employment, sustainable development, stewardship of natural resources, and health.
In his inaugural address to a new session of debate in the National Assembly, Charest rattled off a list of goals he wants to accomplish during the rest of his government's mandate, saying teachers will get laptops, seniors will have incentives to keep working, and outlined a plan for young Quebecers to spend time in the Far North.
Arts
Charest began his speech by talking about Quebec's cultural richness and how the world is noticing, namely with recognition of internationally aclaimed artists such as Robert Lepage, Arcade Fire and Celine Dion.
Wishing to ensure more Quebec-based artists are successful, Charest announced "the creation of a special fund dedicated to our artists, to promote them on the international scene."
The premier then reiterated Quebec success stories, noting that more people work in Quebec than ever before, and that for the first time in 30 years Quebec has a lower unemployment rate than Ontario.
Education
The premier's announcement that sixth-graders will spend half their school year learning English was met with wild applause from his fellow Liberals.
Charest also said the province would provide each teacher with a laptop, but that students must have more respect and will be required to vousvoyer their instructors.
More to come
