When asked about a possible oil pipeline, Quebec Premier François Legault told Radio-Canada on Thursday that “there is an opening, but only as long as we respect the environment and it is profitable for Quebec.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Thursday a memorandum of understanding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith committing them to work towards the construction of an oil pipeline to the Pacific coast.
Legault stated that he was not closed to a pipeline proposal for Quebec, but that it was obvious that certain conditions would apply.
“What has been agreed with Mark Carney is that if there is ever a project – and there is no project at the moment – it will have to be accepted by Quebec,” said Legault during an interview on the program “Zone économie” on ICI RDI.
Legault also spoke about the environment and the impacts on the economy.
The premier notably addressed Hydro-Québec’s $200 billion plan to increase electricity production in the province and improve the performance of its network by 2035. He also mentioned the desire to produce more green energy and double production by 2050.
He nevertheless pointed out that investing in environmental measures can also have an impact on the province’s economy.
“There is a cost,” said Legault. “(Environment Minister Bernard) Drainville calculated that if we wanted to reach the target of -37.5 per cent by 2035, it would cost our economy $38 billion.”
“In the short term, we must be careful because our businesses need to remain competitive,” he added. “We need to make it clear that we won’t put all our eggs in environmental basket.”
Bill 2
Legault met on Tuesday with the president of the Federation of General Practitioners (FMOQ), Dr. Marc-André Amyot.
In his interview with Radio-Canada, he discussed his involvement in the negotiations with the doctors.
He assured that the goal of Bill 2 was to give Quebecers access to a family doctor and that he wished to work towards this goal with Amyot.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews