Bloc Québécois seeks concessions from Liberals to maintain their support

September 6, 2024 TruthUSA

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet states that his party is not pushing for an immediate election as it could favor the Conservatives. He made these remarks following the NDP’s decision to end its agreement with the minority Liberal government, which was supposed to keep them in power until 2025. The Liberals now require the support of at least one other party to stay in power on crucial votes.

Blanchet stated on LCN news channel on Sept. 5 that he does not want to assist in replacing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, highlighting Poilievre’s lower popularity in Quebec compared to the rest of Canada.

“I believe Quebecers are not eager for an election, seeing as the Conservatives are leading in the rest of Canada, and Quebecers do not favor the Conservatives,” he mentioned.

Blanchet also criticized Poilievre for the way he called on the Bloc to help oust Trudeau, accusing him of making “insulting remarks” towards them. Poilievre has aimed to attack the NDP in English and criticize the Bloc in French.

Blanchet emphasized that the Bloc is in a strong position in Québec compared to the Liberals and Conservatives, and he aims to leverage this advantage.

The latest Leger survey conducted in late August places the Bloc in the lead with 29 percent of voting intentions in Quebec. The Liberals follow with 27 percent and the Tories with 23 percent. An Abacus survey from early August slightly positioned the Conservatives (31 percent) ahead of the Bloc (30 percent) in Québec.

“My focus is not on propping up the Trudeau government, I do not favor the Trudeau government more than Quebecers,” stated Blanchet, later adding, “the question now is… what progress can we achieve.”

He outlined these potential “gains” as assisting seniors, granting more immigration powers to Quebec, repealing the controversial caribou decree, ending subsidies to the oil industry, and halting Ottawa’s interference in Quebec regarding language and secularism laws.

The Bloc leader’s remarks followed NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s announcement of ending the supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals.

The deal, established in March 2022, ensured the NDP’s support for the minority Liberals on critical votes in return for pushing forward its priorities through legislation and policy. These priorities have largely been implemented, ranging from dental care to anti-scab laws.

Singh expressed on Sept. 5 that an election is now “more likely” but did not commit to opposing the government.

“Our decisions will be based on the upcoming votes and how we choose to vote on those issues,” said Singh.

Blanchet also did not dismiss the possibility of voting no confidence to overthrow the government but mentioned he wouldn’t support a Conservative motion only aimed at such an outcome.

He also affirmed the Bloc’s backing for the carbon tax and stated they wouldn’t support a confidence motion on that subject. Poilievre presented such a motion in March to challenge the April 1 carbon tax increase, which was rejected by all other parties.

The House of Commons will reconvene on Sept. 16 under this new landscape. The Liberals will need the support of the NDP or the Bloc in confidence votes to maintain power.

On Sept. 16, byelections will also be held in Winnipeg and Montreal. Winnipeg sees a strong NDP presence, while Montreal’s seat leans towards the Liberals.

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