Quebec premier and Bloc leader meet on federal homelessness money and tariffs, Ottawa silent
The two leaders want the $11.2 billion federal homelessness package paid without conditions and Quebec's asylum reimbursement claim settled. Ottawa has not responded.
Sources · Quebec Nouvelles
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Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet met Tuesday, November 10, at the Édifice Honoré-Mercier in Quebec City for about an hour.
Quebec's finance ministry says the province spends $650 million a year on services for asylum seekers. Quebec is asking Ottawa to repay those costs and has until March 31, 2027 to file a formal reimbursement request. Ottawa has not responded to that request.
The main item is the federal homelessness package over four years, tabled in last week's federal budget. Quebec wants that money paid without federal conditions. The federal government has not said what conditions, if any, will apply to the provinces.
Quebec also says a federal tax measure, the "mégadéduction," will leave its finances short. The leaders discussed counter-tariff revenues for Quebec businesses hit by U.S. tariffs, but no amount has been given. They said the goal is a joint strategy to gradually ease tariffs, without saying what it would contain or when it would be ready.
Both leaders said they will cooperate with Ottawa so long as it respects Quebec and its interests. Their next step is to coordinate in the House of Commons.
