Quebec premier-designate pledges relief measures to be announced in coming days

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Quebec premier-designate Christine Fréchette said that she would announce in the coming days measures to ease financial pressure on households and industries.

Fréchette is set to be sworn in Wednesday, according to information provided to CBC News, and held her first news conference at the National Assembly Monday afternoon.

Asked how she distinguishes herself from her predecessor François Legault, Fréchette said she has her own style and personality.

“My decisions will not be the same, I suppose, but it is to Quebecers to decide what is the exact nature of the change I’m bringing,” she said.

She noted that she is part of Generation X and is the only woman after Pauline Marois to be chosen as Quebec premier.

The appearance follows Fréchette’s victory on Sunday, where she secured about 58 per cent of the vote in the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) leadership race, defeating Bernard Drainville — the only other candidate. 

Fréchette — a 55-year-old former business executive — campaigned as a moderate alternative to Drainville.

WATCH | Fréchette on her priorities as Quebec’s next premier:

Quebec’s next premier outlines priorities during 1st day on the job

Premier-designate Christine Fréchette held her first news conference at the National Assembly, announcing she’s focused on addressing rising expenses like housing and groceries in the province. With five months until the provincial election, the new CAQ leader doesn’t have a lot of time to make her mark with voters.Upcoming measures

Among the imminent measures Fréchette hinted at are initiatives to reduce the cost of living, reimburse farmers for carbon charges, and refund the “welcome tax” for first-time homebuyers.

Additionally, she reiterated that she wants to extend Quebec’s French language law and see it applied to adult education and vocational training.

The incoming premier said she plans for government calls for tender to be geared toward local businesses, specifically by making contracts more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

She noted that she has already spoken with Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Millard, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and Prime Minister Mark Carney with whom she discussed development iniatitives.

“There haven’t been any major negotiations yet, but that will come,” Fréchette said.

Despite the controversial nature of Bill 1 — the government’s proposed constitution for the province — Fréchette said she does not intend to invoke closure to force its passage.

While she is scheduled to meet with the bill’s sponsor Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette on Tuesday, she remained tight-lipped about her future cabinet, offering no details on who will hold key ministerial portfolios.

Opposition parties react

Fréchette spent part of the morning greeting dozens of people at the Les Rivières shopping centre in her hometown of Trois-Rivières, Que., before making her way to the legislature. She was joined by Quebec Economy Minister Jean Boulet and Marie-Louise Tardif, the local MNA for Laviolette–Saint-Maurice.

Quebec premier-designate Christine Fréchette greeted Quebecers with Economy Minister Jean Boulet in Trois-Rivières, Que., Monday. (Yoann Dénécé/ Radio-Canada)

“I feel a sense of excitement because this is my first day in my new role as premier,” Fréchette said after arriving at the National Assembly Monday. “It is a wonderful challenge, an immense challenge, and I feel truly moved to be entrusted with this responsibility.”

Her victory was met with a list of demands from Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal Monday. 

Ghazal said Fréchette’s win is “wonderful news for all women, all young girls” but criticized the premier-designate for upholding an “old line of thinking” about the economy that deprioritizes government intervention. 

She called on the premier-designate to address a number of issues, including the soaring cost of groceries. She also urged the new leader to provide community groups with necessary financial assistance, abandon the pursuit of shale gas, and temporarily reopen the Quebec Experience Program, among other measures.

Following the leadership vote results Sunday, Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon took to social media to congratulate Fréchette. He noted that Drainville’s loss marks the defeat of the CAQ’s “‘blue’ nationalist undercurrent” within the party in favour of the “red” or federalist school of thought. 

“This result will have real consequences on the political landscape, and I will speak further on this matter later this week,” Plamondon wrote.