Quebec Solidaire calls for a one-year government rate freeze
Québec Solidaire (QS) is calling for a one-year government rate freeze to help households combat the 'spiralling' cost of living.
The eleven QS MNAs met in caucus on Wednesday to prepare for the next parliamentary session, which begins on Nov. 29.
During the election campaign, François Legault's Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) pledged to cap the increase in government rates (electricity, vehicle registration, daycare fees, etc.) at 3 per cent.
This measure was part of the CAQ's 'anti-inflation shield.' Finance Minister Eric Girard, who was reappointed, has since confirmed that he will table a bill to that effect at the beginning of the session.
But why even increase bills for Quebecers, who are experiencing the worst inflation crisis in 30 years, asked QS parliamentary leader Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois in a press briefing Wednesday.
"The CAQ, in fact, it is inconsistent. It says it wants to take care of the cost of living, it says that is its priority, but at the same time, it will increase Quebecers' bills by 3 per cent," he said.
"Right now, all the bills are exploding. In the midst of an inflation crisis, the government's role should be to avoid adding on top of it," added Nadeau-Dubois.
He estimates the cost of a temporary rate freeze at $1.3 billion. The CAQ has also promised to send taxpayers a cheque for $400 to $600 by the end of the year.
"No one is going to spit on it. The issue is that for many, it will just pay the backlog of bills," said Manon Massé, MNA for Sainte-Marie--Saint-Jacques.
NOMINATIONS IN ANGLADE'S RIDING
In addition, QS said Wednesday that it had launched its nomination process for the by-election in the Montreal riding of Saint-Henri--Sainte-Anne.
The current MNA for this riding, former Liberal leader Dominique Anglade, has announced that she will leave politics on Dec.1. The government has six months to call a by-election.
QS came second in Saint-Henri--Sainte-Anne in the last general election. Its candidate Guillaume Cliche-Rivard is expected to try his luck again.
"This is an important moment," said Nadeau-Dubois. It's a riding in which we did well last time, so we intend to give it our 100 per cent.
"No matter what date Mr. Legault chooses, Québec Solidaire will be ready, on the starting line, and our goal will be to get a 12th person elected to the caucus," he added.
- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 23, 2022
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre kicked out of Commons after calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko'
Testy exchanges between the prime minister and his chief opponent ended with the Opposition leader and one of his MPs being ejected from the House of Commons on Tuesday -- and the rest of Conservative caucus walking out of the chamber in protest.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Freeland leaves capital gains tax change out of coming budget implementation bill, here's why
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a northeast London suburb Tuesday, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring four other people, British authorities said.
WATCH Arnold Schwarzenegger spotted filming in Elora, Ont.
The name of the project has not been officially released although it’s widely believed to be the Netflix series FUBAR.
BREAKING Hosting Vancouver's FIFA World Cup games could cost half a billion dollars
Hosting seven games in Vancouver during the 2026 FIFA World Cup could cost more than half a billion dollars, according to an updated estimate provided Tuesday.
Moe 'will respond' to CRA, insists Saskatchewan has 'paid in full' amid carbon tax audit
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says his government 'will respond' to the Canada Revenue Agency when it concludes its audit of the province, but that his position is Saskatchewan doesn't owe Ottawa any money.
Eviction for landlord's use was legitimate, despite owners' partial move, B.C. court rules
A B.C. judge has upheld the eviction of a family from their North Vancouver townhouse, finding that the landlords did not take an unreasonable amount of time to move into the home after the tenants vacated it.