#philippe couillard

[dadsinsuits]

Philippe Couillard

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Couillard, Legault clash over immigration in first Quebec election debate

In a rare moment of drama between the two front-runners, Legault opened a debate segment on immigration by demanding that Couillard apologize for the words of his candidate who said the CAQ wants to ‘cleanse immigrants’ from the province

Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard used a televised debate to accuse his chief rival François Legault of striking fear into the hearts of immigrants in Quebec with his promise to cut the number of new arrivals and to try to expel those who fail language and values tests.

In a rare moment of drama between the two front-runners in the Quebec election campaign, Mr. Legault, Leader of the conservative Coalition Avenir Québec, opened a debate segment on immigration Thursday night by demanding that the Liberal Leader apologize for the words of his candidate who said the CAQ wants to “cleanse immigrants” from the province.

Mr. Legault repeated the demand several times and added that Liberal Finance Minister Carlos Leitao – himself an immigrant from Portugal who didn’t speak French when he first arrived – called his party racist. “Quebeckers are fed up with having a lecturer like Mr. Couillard tell them they are intolerant,” Mr. Legault said.

Mr. Couillard pointed out that his candidate apologized for the “cleansing” comment and then added: “Mr. Legault, do you know why some people react like that? You scare them.”

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[nous-sommes-folklore]

[fycanadianpolitics]

Philippe Couillard’s tone shift on Islam stuns Quebec Muslims - The Globe and Mail

Security experts are also baffled by the Quebec Premier’s decision to make a direct connection between terror and ‘Islam in general’

The Quebec Premier's sudden shift linking "Islam in general" to terror and urging Quebec Muslims to do more to combat violent extremism has baffled security and political experts alike.

After years of warning Quebeckers against "creating an amalgam" between acts of Islamist terror and the wider Muslim community – and for a long time even avoiding the use any variation of the word "Islamist" in connection with terror – Philippe Couillard emerged last week with a dramatic break. After a 49-year-old Quebecker allegedly shouting an Islamic phrase was accused of stabbing a police officer in Michigan, Mr. Couillard said, "You cannot disconnect this type of event, terrorism, from Islam in general."

A half-dozen leaders of Quebec's Muslim communities, who long considered the Premier an ally, said they were stunned at the turnaround. "Politicians who speak this way are telling terrorists they're right to claim some religious basis for what they are doing," said Salam Elmenyawi, head of the Muslim Council of Montreal. The city's Muslim leaders invited Mr. Couillard to feast with them Sunday to mark the end of the Ramadan holy month of fasting. He did not attend. [...]

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Trump a 'direct threat' to Quebec economy, Couillard says

Couillard announced Quebec will launch a fresh offensive in the U.S.s to sell Quebec business interests directly to American decision-makers.

U.S. President Donald Trump is a “direct threat” to the Quebec economy, a tough-talking Premier Philippe Couillard said Tuesday.

And emerging from a crisis meeting with the province’s top business and union leaders, Couillard announced Quebec will launch a fresh offensive in the United States to sell Quebec business interests directly to American decision-makers and detour the Trump administration.

Details of the plan are to be announced Wednesday following a meeting of the Quebec cabinet.

“I know a threat when I see one,” Couillard told reporters at a news conference following his meeting with the leaders. “And what he (Trump) is doing is directly impacting our workers and businesspeople and farmers, and the sad part is it is also negatively affecting his businesspeople, his workers, his farmers.

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[allthecanadianpolitics]

Thanks, Quebec. 👏

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Quebec wants to ban face coverings for duration of any public service, including bus rides

Couillard government set to hold vote on Bill 62, aimed at establishing 'neutrality of the state'

The Quebec government would require a person's face to be uncovered for the duration of any public service being rendered, including a ride on a city bus, under a proposed new law, Justice Minister Stéphanie Vallée says.

The Couillard government's Bill 62 on religious neutrality is finally expected to be put to a vote on Tuesday, two years after it was tabled.

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[allthecanadianpolitics]

Quebec cabinet shuffle: Kathleen Weil is minister responsible for anglos

The very creation of a portfolio for anglophones lends credence to the perception that the Liberals are increasingly concerned about a gulf that has opened between their party and its anglophone base.

Premier Philippe Couillard reached deep into his backbench Wednesday, promoting six MNAs to a new election-ready, beefed-up cabinet.

And he says he has acted on a promise to maintain better relations with the English-speaking community, appointing Kathleen Weil minister responsible for relations with anglophones.

Unveiling the composition of a new cabinet — the number of ministers increases from 25 to 30 — Couillard said he has respected a promise to the anglophone community.

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