Quebec’s political parties are gearing up for Day 6 of the campaign ahead of the Oct. 5 election. Key details: The leaders Follow along for the latest updates: CAQ wants to contribute to every newborn’s RESP The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) is promising to contribute $1,000 to every newborn’s Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). The measure would cost nearly $220 million over four years. Parents would have three years following their child’s birth to open an RESP and request payment. Amounts invested for children who do not pursue postsecondary education would be returned, with interest, as is the case under the current rules. This means that the government would recoup its investment, with interest, and the portion invested by parents would be returned to them, with interest. Currently, the federal government contributes 20 per cent of the first annual contribution. Mathematically, if Quebec transfers $1,000, Ottawa would then add $200 to the RESP, for a total of $1,200. - The Canadian Press. PCQ promises to reduce regulatory burden Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ) Leader Éric Duhaime says he wants to “cut red tape” in favour of a 30 per cent reduction in the regulatory burden for businesses. He promised to significantly reduce government rules and laws, suggesting that Quebec follow in Alberta’s footsteps. “Quebec is now the Canadian province with the most regulatory requirements by far. We have nearly 150,000,” compared to only 67,094 in Alberta, said Duhaime. “Quebec entrepreneurs have to deal with 78,864 more requirements — more than double,” according to the PCQ. Since 2019, Alberta has reduced its regulatory burden by 35 per cent, the Conservatives point out. Duhaime noted that, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), “regulations cost small and medium Quebec businesses $10.9 billion a year.” - The Canadian Press. Day 6: This is where the parties are expected to start their day, in order of first appearance: Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ): Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime is set to remain in the Quebec City area, beginning his day with a press conference at 7:45 a.m at 1100 René-Lévesque Blvd Est. Afterward, he will head to the Couche-Tard at 1000 Wilfrid-Hamel Blvd. at 10 a.m. In the afternoon, Duhaime is expected to hold a press briefing in front of Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures City Hall at 3 p.m., and conclude his day with a speech at 77 Saint-Pierre St. in Saint-Pie at 6:30 p.m. Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ): CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette is set to start her day in the riding of Saint-Zotique for a press conference at 8:15 a.m., before announcing a new candidate in Saint-Constant at 11:15 a.m. She will wrap up her day with a meeting at the Communauté métropolitaine de Québec at 4 p.m. in the Capitale-Nationale region. Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ): Liberal Leader Charles Milliard is starting his day in the Estrie and Mauricie regions. At 10 a.m., he is scheduled to attend a meeting and make an announcement about public housing and homelessness at Maison Margot in Sherbrooke. At midday, he will attend a campaign luncheon at Freddy Pizzeria in Sherbrooke before heading to Trois-Rivières for a gourmet stop at Fromagerie Victoria at 3:45 p.m. before participating in the “P’tit shérif” race at École de la Providence in Saint-Tite at 6:15 p.m. Parti Québécois (PQ): PQ Leader Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon is in the Mauricie region, holding a press briefing on the cost of living at 10:30 a.m. at the Jardin des Ursulines in Trois-Rivières, before taking part in a campaign luncheon at 300 des Forges St. at 12 p.m. He will then head to the Greater Montreal area for a press conference with Berthier MNA Elise Lefebvre at Jean-Bourdon Park at 2:50 p.m. He is expected to end his day in Saint-Jérôme in the Laurentians, participating in a campaign rally with numerous candidates at 2020 Saint-Georges St. at 5:30 p.m. Québec solidaire: Québec Solidaire (QS) Spokesperson Ruba Ghazal is slated to spend the day in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, unveiling the party’s vision on immigration at the Agora des Arts in Rouyn-Noranda mid-morning. She will then visit the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue at 11 a.m. to meet with the president and student body before having lunch at Chez Morasse, a family-owned business famous for its slogan “The best poutine in the world,” at 11:45 a.m. In the afternoon, she is set to be in Val-d’Or, where she will tour the campus to meet with students from the Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
