Andrew Scheer wants to take Québec backward

September 12, 2019

Québec City, QC – As Andrew Scheer launches his campaign in Québec, Pablo Rodriguez and Diane Lebouthilier, Québec Campaign Co-Chairs, issued the following statement:

“Andrew Scheer is launching his campaign today in Trois-Rivières, but Québecers know that Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives, just like those of Stephen Harper, do not share their priorities.

Environment

“Québecers know that urgent action is needed to combat climate change. The Conservatives have delivered a bogus plan that would take Canada backward on its environmental responsibilities by eliminating the price on pollution and doing everything to please oil lobbyists.

Economy

“Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives will make deep cuts to services on which Québecers depend. For our part, we introduced the Canada Child Benefit, which gives more money to 9 out of 10 Canadian families; cut taxes for the middle class while raising taxes on the wealthiest 1% of Canadians; and lowered taxes for small businesses.

Free Trade

“On the NAFTA file, Andrew Scheer advocated for total surrender. His pandering would have meant a dismantling of supply management in the dairy industry, an end to the exemption that protects Québec culture, and the elimination of all possible recourse for the Québec softwood lumber industry against the Americans.

“On the topic of unfair and illegal tariffs on US imports of Canadian aluminum, the Conservatives demanded that we drop our retaliatory measures without any concessions from the Americans. We stood strong for our workers and negotiated an agreement to lift these tariffs.

Local Infrastructure

“We invested more than 70 million dollars to support a high-frequency rail project for the Québec City-Toronto corridor by way of Trois-Rivières. For his part, Andrew Scheer promised to eliminate the infrastructure bank that finances the study of this project.

Culture

“For 10 years, the Scheer and Harper Conservatives made cuts to our culture. They made cuts to Radio-Canada, our official languages, and critical funding for our artists and creators. Québecers remember the war the Conservatives waged against the cultural community.

“In 2015, we promised to repair the damage. Since that time, we have made the largest ever reinvestment in culture.

“On October 21, let’s choose forward. Justin Trudeau’s team will work hard for you and with you.”