Legault needs to have second meeting with Carney, Quebec Liberals say

Quebec Liberal Party interim leader Marc Tanguay at the National Assembly, March 18, 2025. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

The official opposition in Quebec City says Premier François Legault needs to have a second meeting with Liberal Leader Mark Carney soon.

“It is essential that the premier of Quebec builds a healthy and constructive relationship with the man who is likely to govern the country,” according to the interim leader of the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP), Marc Tanguay.

In a telephone interview on Monday, Tanguay said that the acrimony between Legault and former prime minister Justin Trudeau had hurt Quebecers.

“François Legault argued with Justin Trudeau for seven years. Look at the results: ... health transfers, infrastructure, public transport … Quebec didn’t get its fair share,” he said.

“What I’m asking François Legault to do is to ensure that he has another meeting with Mr. Carney ... during this campaign.”

Legault first met Carney before the start of the election campaign, when the two discussed the economy and immigration.

He then applauded Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who promised to allow Quebec to select some of the temporary immigrants from the International Mobility Program.

Legault has not held a formal meeting with Yves-François Blanchet of the Bloc Québécois, Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party or the Greens.

On Monday, Tanguay drew up his own list of priorities relating to federal-provincial policy issues, which he hopes will be taken up by Legault in his discussions.

For example, the leaders of the various federal political parties must commit to respecting Quebec’s areas of jurisdiction and transferring the entire PMI to Quebec," he said.

In the event that an initiative encroaches on Quebec’s jurisdiction, they must promise to grant the province the right to opt out with full compensation and without conditions.

On the economy, the PLQ wants the party leaders to commit to consulting the provinces and territories before holding negotiations aimed at deepening trade with Europe and Asia.

Tanguay is also calling for the abolition of interprovincial trade barriers, protection of the supply management system and support for the forestry, aluminum and aeronautics sectors.

The QLP is also calling for improved health transfers, increased investment in infrastructure, and “active participation” by the federal government in public transport projects.

Finally, it is calling for better support for the media, and recognition of the leading role played by Radio-Canada in providing information and culture in Quebec.

“It’s time for François Legault to develop a healthy relationship with Canada’s next prime minister … He needs to start afresh ... No more bickering with Ottawa,” said Tanguay.

Although he is calling on the federal parties — he expects each party to present a platform for Quebec — Tanguay said that the PLQ will not be taking a position in the federal campaign.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 7, 2025.

Caroline Plante, The Canadian Press