It’s the last day at the National Assembly for MNA’s before Christmas and the opposition parties aired a laundry list of grievances with the government. The premier dismissed them and said his party is the only party that could have kept Quebec from financial ruin.
“Objectively, no one can deny this, we saved Quebec from financial disaster,” Premier Philippe Couillard said at a press conference Friday afternoon.
Since the premier first made that statement Tuesday, the opposition – and some media – have had a field day mocking him.
“He needs a long rest and then try to connect with reality,” Parti Quebecois leader Jean-Francois Lisée said.
Couillard doesn’t regret making the comment.
“Good news is we can now go towards what we have planned to, which is 3.5 percent in education, and hopefully 4 percent in health care,” the premier said.
On the last day at the National Assembly before the Christmas break, the premier continued to defend his austerity measures as the opposition blasted him over the failures they say it caused.
“It led to this handicapped woman sleeping in her wheel chair because the cuts had been so severe,” Lisée said.
The CAQ had its own issues to take up with the government. The second opposition has been going after the Liberals on identity issues and immigration.
“Mr. Couillard makes a bad call to ignore this worry,” said CAQ leader Francois Legault.
In exclusive interviews with Global News, two Liberal ministers said the CAQ’s message promotes intolerance.
“There’s a sub-tone that I find very distressing,” said Finance Minister Carlos Leitao.
“Not at all and in fact, what we would like to see is more money per immigrant,” Legault said in response.
Meanwhile, Quebec Solidaire reserved its criticism of the government and targeted English media instead.
“Did I accuse the media of having a Liberal bias? No,” said MNA Amir Khadir.
Some journalists challenged him that he had made that accusation. In response, he said, “If nothing that I believe in terms of bias exists, I hope in the near future we can work with you to reach out to the English community.”
Monday’s byelections indicate support for the Liberals is down. It’s expected Premier Couillard will shuffle his cabinet in January to give his government a fresh start in the new year.
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