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Labour

In question period on labour, the Bloc Québécois asked about the six-billion-dollar workforce training investment in the federal economic update, saying job training is Quebec’s jurisdiction under a 30-year agreement and asking that Quebec receive its share with no conditions. The Liberal minister replied that the investment responds to an expected need for 80,000 skilled construction workers in Quebec over five years and said the government will respect Quebec’s authority while working with the province. A further exchange saw the Bloc repeat its position and the minister comment on the Bloc’s approach to Quebec–Ottawa relations, saying the government prefers to focus on delivering training.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Mario Simard

Bloc Québécois

Linked statement

“The government is spending six billion dollars on construction job training. Job training is Quebec's responsibility, and an agreement has recognized that for 30 years. I want the government to give Quebec its share of the money with no conditions.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, in its economic update, the federal government is investing $6 billion to train the construction workforce. The only problem is that workforce training falls under Quebec’s jurisdiction. The Liberals say that they want to come to an agreement, but an agreement has already been in place for 30 years now. For 30 years, Ottawa has recognized that Quebec is responsible for determining its own labour market policies and priorities. For 30 years, Quebec has been designing, planning, delivering and evaluating the employment and training services that are right for Quebeckers. In short, will the government transfer Quebec’s share to Quebec with no strings attached?

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“We are spending money to train people in skilled trades. Quebec will need 80,000 of these workers in the next five years. We will respect Quebec's authority as we work with them on this.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. First, it is important to know that we are investing in workforce training for skilled trades because there will be a need for it, especially in Quebec. The Commission de la construction du Québec is saying that there will be a need for 80,000 workers in the next five years. Obviously, we will respect Quebec’s jurisdictions. We have been doing so since 1997 with the agreement in principle on the workforce. I am very pleased to be able to work with my counterpart, Minister Boulet, to ensure that we can quickly deliver results for Quebeckers.

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Mario Simard

Bloc Québécois
“Job training belongs to Quebec, not Ottawa. The federal government should give Quebec its share of training funds with no conditions attached.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let us be honest, the last thing we need is a squabble caused by the federal government. As I said earlier, workforce training has been under Quebec’s jurisdiction for 30 years. Quebec is the one that determines labour market needs and how to meet them. Ottawa’s role is strictly to fund those measures. Quebec has both jurisdiction and the expertise. We do not need a government with no jurisdiction to interfere, especially given that the federal government is the undisputed champion of the anglicization of the workplace. When will Quebec receive its fair share of the funds, without any strings attached?

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“The Bloc Québécois usually tries to start fights between Quebec and Ottawa. We want to work to give Quebeckers job training instead.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, April 29 is a historic day. This is the first time I have heard a Bloc member say that the last thing his party wants is a squabble between Quebec and Ottawa. For 10 years, I have seen them constantly trying to start fights between Quebec and Ottawa. On this side, we want to deliver results for Quebeckers in terms of workforce training, and that is exactly what we are going to do.

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