The premier says "buy Quebec," exports, innovation, the labour shortage and the green economy are covered in the policy.
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Premier François Legault unveiled a new post-pandemic economic policy for Quebec on Friday, one that covers “buy Quebec,” exports, innovation, the labour shortage and the green economy.
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Presenting the plan at a press conference in Shawinigan, Legault promised many announcements will flow in the coming months under the policy.
“Creating wealth is not an end in itself,” he said. “But it gives us means for our ambitions. If we want to be able to invest in the environment, in our social programs, it takes resources.”
He added he’s convinced his economic vision will allow Quebec to close the gap with Ontario in per capita gross domestic product. The latter’s GDP is 13 per cent higher than that of Quebec, he said.
Legault said his government’s “mini budget,” to be tabled on Nov. 25 , will provide a taste of coming announcements. He, nevertheless, presented certain elements he said will be adopted. These include a controlled certification to identify products made in Quebec and encourage Quebec consumers to buy local.
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To set an example, Legault also announced his government will table a bill to ensure provincial departments and corporations buy more from Quebec suppliers.
“The government is the largest client in Quebec,” he said. “My goal is that there be more Quebec content.”
Legault noted, however, international contract rules will continue to be respected.
The government is also planning to assist Quebec businesses in their exports , the premier said. Quebec’s delegations abroad have already been given as a priority finding customers in the United States, Europe and Asia, he said.
As well, to promote the marketing and export of products, Legault said he’d like to create innovation zones where colleges and universities would be more in touch with entrepreneurs. Because of the shortage of labour, companies must also accelerate their robotization and digitization, he said.
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Labour Minister Jean Boulet will soon table a plan to address the lack of personnel, Legault said. Quebec wants to support people who will need to re-qualify in new sectors, he said.
Legault said nearly 200,000 jobs need to be filled in the province. Priority will be given to essential services and in the “fields of the future” that will offer wages “with value added,” such as the green economy, he said.
Immigration might be “part of the solution” to fill the labour shortage, Legault said. However, Quebec has already reached its integration capacity with the arrival of 50,000 newcomers on average per year, he said.
“If we want to continue speaking in French in the coming generations, there is a limit to the number of immigrants who can enter,” Legault said. He added 50 per cent of immigrants who entered Quebec under the previous Liberal governments did not speak French.
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Legault also said economic growth and the fight against climate change are reconcilable goals.
“Our vision is that we are capable and that we have to do both,” he said.
The premier noted, for example, that Quebec stands out for its clean and affordable energy production using hydroelectricity .
“There are plenty of companies that want to come and invest in Quebec to improve their greenhouse gas emission record,” he said. “It’s often manufacturers offering very high salaries.”
The government also wants to take advantage of existing expertise in the province in the electrification of transport, such as trains and buses, Legault said, adding that his government also wants to develop the hydrogen and bioenergy sectors.
Legault presents five prongs of post-pandemic economic policy - Montreal Gazette
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