September 10, 2024
Quebec National Assembly Reconvenes
Extension of U.S. Authority and Control Over Quebec’s Natural Resources Bad News for Quebec
The Quebec National Assembly resumes sitting today, September 10, and continues until December 6. The media are buzzing with comment and speculation about the resignation of Industry, Innovation and Energy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon, known as a “Super Minister” because he has his fingers in so many pies. By drawing attention to this resignation, the cartel parties in the Opposition and media are diverting attention from the anti-national, sellout measures taken by the so-called “nationalist” government of the Coalition Avenir Québec. To reassure the U.S. government and interests linked with the U.S. war industry, great efforts are made to show that Quebec is a willing, open-for-business partner they can count on to achieve their aims.
This session is the mid-term of the Legault government, two years since it was re-elected, and commentators are saying that it won’t be an easy one. The opposition parties have made grand statements about the beginning of the end of the government’s reign, or have rushed into by-election mode to exhibit their wares, and so on.
The fall session also opens on the heels of a summer of cost-of-living increases, strong opposition to the shortage of affordable and salubrious housing for all, the government’s refusal to accede to nurses’ demands for decent working conditions to guarantee care for all. Now, with the start of the new school year, there is serious disorganization in the education sector, with chaos facing teachers, school staff, students and parents, as a result of the rapid expansion of privatization and the destruction of the public system. All of this accompanied by reams of anti-immigrant invective from the Legault government and measures taken in conjunction with the federal Trudeau government, which, for its part wants to maintain seats in Quebec in the face of a countrywide crisis of legitimacy and credibility.
Meanwhile, the sell-out of Quebec’s natural resources which intensified following the Pentagon’s announcement it will invest in the La Loutre graphite mining project in the Petite-Nation region, continues to arouse opposition. Graphite is a critical mineral essential to the war machine, of which the U.S. is very dependent on imports from Quebec.[1] Faced with strong opposition from local residents, the Legault government is manipulating a “social acceptability assessment” to maintain the project.
Premier Legault was an active participant in the July 15-17 Council of the Federation meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at which all the premiers joined forces to get whatever they could from the federal government. The final declaration issued by the council nonetheless made it clear that Canada and Quebec are open for business and the exploitation of our natural resources for NATO and U.S. war plans will be increased. As recently as September 2, Minister Fitzgibbon himself stated that he was in discussions with the U.S. Department of Defense.
According to the monopolized media, the “main thing” people are supposed to keep in mind as the fall session of the National Assembly gets underway, notwithstanding the departure of Super Minister Fitzgibbon, is that the economy is “rolling along very well,” growth is “much greater than expected” and his other portfolios are also progressing well. Minister Christine Fréchette, who is taking over from Fitzgibbon, will be up to the task of pursuing the same priorities, they say, albeit with a different style.
All of this may offer comfort to the ruling class but is small comfort for the working class and people for Quebec which have to shoulder all the consequences of the revolving door between government and big business, which is running smoothly to make sure government is part of big business. The working people are kept so busy trying to control the anarchy and make sure the health and safety of the people are protected, they are relegated to being spectators of the shenanigans which make the rich richer and the poor poorer and drag Quebec into the U.S. war machine, for which the people of Quebec pay dearly in increased costs for everything.
Like the teachers who are drawing the conclusion that no amount of effort can fix the anarchy in the schools, so too all over Quebec people are seeing that they must organize themselves to intervene in a manner that is to their advantage. As it stands, the narratives of the ruling class on the occasion of the new session of the National Assembly reveal what is to be expected over the coming months. Namely, that the government will devote most of its energy to continuing to deprive Quebeckers of what is rightfully theirs in terms of all aspects of life that contribute to their security and that of their families while making a mockery of the need of Quebec for an independent, sovereign decision-making power by, of and for the people.
Attempts to give legitimacy to U.S. imperialism’s expanding control over Quebec’s territory, resources and people during this parliamentary session will further demonstrate that Quebeckers must themselves engage in the democratic renewal of the decision-making process and who the government serves. The fast pace with which Quebec’s economy is becoming one with the U.S. imperialist energy, transportation, communications and security corridors and supply chains, the more the opposition of the working class and people will be felt.
Note
Extract from Press Release Issued by Canada’s Premiers this Summer
The Premiers of the provinces and territories at the Council of the Federation meeting held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from July 15 to 17, issued a press release on the final day of the meeting under the self-serving title, “Premiers discuss ways governments can work together to better support Canadians.” It raises serious alarm bells about what lies in store for Canadians at this time fraught with dangers. The following excerpt from the communiqué deals specifically with the servility of the provinces and territories to the U.S. It warrants being read and discussed by working people across the country to grasp that no matter which cartel party takes the reins of government in elections which will take place this fall, or electoral campaigning which has ostensibly already begin at the federal level, only the people will defend the interests of the people. The time to get organized is now!
Arctic Security and Sovereignty
A strong and secure Canada depends on a strong and secure Canadian North. Premiers welcomed the federal defence policy update and its potential contributions in the North. Canada’s trade and economic relations with the U.S. is also founded on Canada being a strong, safe, a secure ally, and partner.
Premiers also emphasized that more must be done to safeguard Arctic security and sovereignty and show Canada’s commitment to its North and northerners. This includes maximizing use of existing underutilized federal assets, while furthering investments in robust multi-use infrastructure that protects our country and supports the well-being of northern communities.
Premiers highlighted that provinces and territories can be effective partners in Canada’s security, maintaining vigilance against foreign interference, supporting the development of domestic critical minerals supply chains, and helping to ensure the security of transportation corridors, energy sources, and vital infrastructure. Premiers look forward to working more closely with the federal government to address these important concerns.
Canada-U.S. Relations
The prosperity and security of Canadians and Americans are integrated and mutually beneficial. Canada’s provinces and territories are stable, democratic, and peaceful allies of the United States. Further, provinces and territories are key strategic partners in priority areas including critical minerals, and energy. This relationship is a strategic asset in providing North American energy security.
Premiers discussed the importance of maintaining strong and mutually beneficial relations across North America, including strengthening Arctic security, maintaining well-functioning integrated supply chains, and continuing open, rules-based trade. The free trade agreement review in 2026 provides an opportunity to further strengthen our trading relationship.
Premiers will continue to work collaboratively with each other and the federal government to ensure U.S. leaders and policymakers are fully aware of the benefits of the unparalleled North American relationship. Premiers are strongly committed to representing provincial and territorial interests in that relationship, including communicating provincial and territorial jurisdiction over natural resources to our U.S. partners.
Provinces and territories continue to monitor and address issues that may affect the Canada-U.S. relationship. Premiers will continue to build and maintain relationships with key partners at the U.S. federal, state, and local levels, as well as with key business, labour, and community partners.
Canada and the World
Premiers discussed Canada’s role as a trusted, stable ally in addressing global challenges, including through long-standing commitments to democracy, multilateralism, diplomacy, upholding the rule of law, and humanitarian efforts. Provinces and territories continue to play an important role as stable economic partners and sources of essential goods that the world needs, including food and energy. Canada fulfilling its NATO obligation of defence spending of two per cent of GDP is an important element of being a stable ally and strong economic partner.
Premiers urged the federal government to work with them to prevent foreign interference particularly towards our institutions, the economy, vital infrastructure, and critical supply chains by ensuring the sharing of timely and accurate information and intelligence.
The federal government must respond to organized crime activities at our border, including by increasing RCMP, Port Police, and Canada Border Services Agency resources. Federal leadership is also needed to deter and prevent the importation of chemical precursors that are used in the production of deadly illicit drugs. Provinces and territories are committed to collaborating with the federal government on these critical public safety issues.
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