Just hours before formalizing his candidacy for the presidency of Canada’s Conservative Party, Ottawa did not hide the fact that it would not oppose a review of Bill 21 by the Supreme Court, even if it meant respecting Quebec’s jurisdiction.
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“The question of secularism is fundamental to the Cubes […] We have to respect that, ”he said in an interview with former Quebec Prime Minister Mario Dumont on Thursday.
“I am not going to sue in court, I will not sue in court. If the case goes to the Supreme Court, the federal government will give a voice, ” he said.
Recalling that his Liberal government at the time had not acted on the Bouchard-Taylor recommendations, he affirmed that “wherever the verdict goes, we will work with the Quebec government.”
Like former President Erin O’Dowl during the last federal election, Jean-Zarost also showed support for the provinces and respect for their jurisdiction.
“I, if I am the Prime Minister of Canada, I think it will give fresh air to Ottawa because they will have a Prime Minister who understands how the federal system works,” he said.
The lead candidate has also indicated that he will not close the door to pipeline projects as long as there is “environmental and social acceptance”.
He acknowledged that if he wanted to “decarbonize gas and oil” he could consider piping, especially in Ukraine, where he wants to protect the country’s energy supply, which has been damaged since the start of the war.
Learning lessons from the province
Regarding the investigation into political funding, Mr. Charest admitted that he had learned his lessons and that the leadership match would be played “according to the rules”.
“Political finance has always been like this [à l’époque]But we did it through the book, we did it honestly, “he said.
“Eight years later, [l’UPAC] Nothing was available after interviewing 300 people, let’s look at it from another angle. […] At some point it will become non-stop, ”he added.
No worries about the setback in the polls
Although he thinks he is in the best position to be the Conservative leader, with a slight delay, Mr. Charest abandoned his voting intent. , According to Leger poll for the “Journal” and the “National Post”.
“It simply came to our notice then [Pierre Poilièvre] I campaign, I campaign because I think I will be a good leader if I bring my record, my record, my experience, my vision for Canada, ”he argued in the poll face.
The former Liberal Party leadership race is set to officially begin on Thursday night in Calta, Alta.
*** Watch the full interview in the video above.
