QUEBEC CITY – As the Harper government released its throne speech, with promises to befriend consumers and enshrine balanced budgets in law, Quebec’s Intergovernmental Affairs Minister was watching, hoping for a sign the Conservatives would help boost Quebec’s economy.
“They are taking decisions that affect badly the economy of Quebec and they have to take notice of that,” said Cloutier at a press conference on Thursday.
Cloutier is especially unhappy with Ottawa’s plans to cut in employment insurance and skills-training programs. Quebec counts 40% of the country’s seasonal workers.
The Harper government also announced its intention to complete negociations on a comprehensive economic and trade agreement with the European Union.
That too made waves at the Quebec National Assembly.
That’s because Quebec also counts the most cheesemakers. La Belle Province produces half of all Canadian cheese and 60% of all fine cheese made in Canada. A free-trade agreement with the EU would double the amount of European cheese allowed into the country. Local producers fear the deal will drive them out of business.
“It’s catastrophic,” said Louis Arsenault, President of the Quebec Association of Artisan Cheesemakers. “We’re literally giving Europeans, on a silver platter, a market it’s taken us years to build.”
At the old marketplace in Quebec City, Chantal Mitchell said she’s looking forward to paying less.
“I want to see what are the difference in prices, and yes it will change my view on buying the Quebec cheese for sure,” she told Global News.
Another shopper, Real Dorie added: “If we don’t allow trade at all, where are we going as a country, we’re not going very far.”
Arsenault said exporting will also be a problem: tougher norms make Quebec cheese more expensive. Cloutier responded while he supports free-trade, he’s prepared to put up a fight to defend yet another important segment of the Quebec economy.
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