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Intergovernmental Relations

In question period, Bloc Québécois members criticized the Clarity Act and the federal government’s review of the referendum question Alberta plans to put to its voters, saying each province or Quebec should decide its own referendum question without federal involvement, that the law is undemocratic, and asking whether Ottawa will respect the process. Rhéal Éloi Fortin called on the government to repeal the Clarity Act and said 50 percent plus one should be enough to win a referendum. Dominic LeBlanc replied for the government that it is working with Alberta, Quebec and all provinces and territories to counter the threatened U.S. tariffs, and said the Bloc Québécois was not helping in that effort.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois
“The federal government is reviewing the question Alberta wants to ask its people in a vote. The government acts like it knows better than the provinces and ordinary people. The Clarity Act just shows disrespect for them.”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Signal 39 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Ottawa is currently reviewing the question that the Alberta government will put to its population in a referendum to see if it is appropriate, because Ottawa knows so much better than anyone else what kind of question should be asked. Ottawa knows what is clear and what is unclear to ordinary people. The federal government is so superior, so much better. Good thing the government is here to look after us and to explain things we are capable of understanding. Does the government realize that the Clarity Act is nothing but a demonstration of contempt for the populace and the provinces?

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Dominic LeBlanc

Liberal
“We must work together to fight the threat of U.S. tariffs. We are working with Alberta and all the provinces to protect Canadians. The Bloc Québécois is refusing to help.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 39 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, what the government understands very well is that, now more than ever, this is the time to work together to counter the U.S. tariff threat in an increasing complex world. That is precisely what the Prime Minister is doing with the Government of Alberta. We are working with Albertans. We are working with all the provinces of Canada to prove that our federation is working well and that we all share Canadians’ concerns. It is a shame that the Bloc Québécois is not participating.

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Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois

Linked statement

“Quebec has the right to ask its people questions without the federal government getting involved. I want to know if Ottawa will respect this process or interfere.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, contempt is when one considers a person, group or thing inferior. It is a feeling of superiority. When the government of a province or Quebec asks its people a question, it is up to the Government of Quebec or that provincial government to decide on the question, and it is up to the people to answer it. Ottawa has no business getting involved. Ottawa is interfering simply because it believes itself to be superior to everyone. There are two options: Either Ottawa respects the democratic process that is under way, or it interferes and confirms its contempt for the people. What will it do?

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Dominic LeBlanc

Liberal
“We are working with all provinces and territories to protect our economy. This morning, I met with them to discuss how to fight threatened American trade taxes.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 24 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 49 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I have been clear about what we are going to do. We will work with our friends in the federation, with the Government of Quebec, the Government of Alberta and the governments of all of the other provinces and territories to address the issues that matter to Canadians across the country. Our focus is squarely on economic issues. For example, I met with the provincial and territorial industry and trade ministers this morning. Minister Drainville actively participated in the discussion on what we can do to counter the U.S. tariff threat. That is the work that we are doing together.

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Rhéal Éloi Fortin

Bloc Québécois
“I want the government to repeal the Clarity Act. It is undemocratic. The province holding a referendum should choose the question, and 50 percent plus one should be enough to win.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, not only does the Clarity Act give the federal government some kind of veto over the wording of the question, as though people are too thick to understand the question, but this undemocratic law also calls into question the principle of majority rule in a democracy. The Liberals want clarity. That is fine, let us be clear then. First, the government that initiates a referendum determines the question. That government alone. Second, 50% plus one is a clear majority. Will Ottawa understand these basic democratic principles and repeal its undemocratic Clarity Act?

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Dominic LeBlanc

Liberal
“The federal government is working with the provinces to fight U.S. tariffs and protect our industries. We are doing the work, but the Bloc Québécois is not.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 29 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 29 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, perhaps my colleague was not entirely focused on the answers I gave his colleague earlier. The federal government is absolutely focused on the issues that concern Quebeckers and all Canadians. We are ready to work with our provincial counterparts to counter the U.S. tariff threat and support the industries specifically affected by these tariffs. We are here and we are doing the work. It is a shame that the Bloc Québécois is not showing up.

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