Andre Fortin

Local MNA silent on education cuts, but Liberals vocal

By Trevor Greenway
Local Journalism Initiative

MNA for Gatineau Robert Bussière didn’t respond to this newspaper’s questions on the province’s plan to cut $200 million from the education sector by March 31, but his opposition didn’t mince words. 

“It’s preposterous,” said Liberal MNA for Pontiac André Fortin, also the official critic on health. He was referring to the notion that the CAQ government can force health and education ministries to make significant budget cuts by this spring: $200 million in education and a staggering $1.5 billion for the health sector –  without those cuts affecting services. He said that is impossible. 

“[The government] is saying the exact same thing in healthcare: ‘You’ve got to cut without affecting patients.’ And already we are seeing the tremendous impact that these cuts are having on students and patients,” Fortin told the Low Down. He referenced Quebec Premier François Legault’s promise in April to “prioritize health and education,” suggesting that Legault has gone back on his word to constituents. 

“That’s the first two places where we’re seeing cuts, in healthcare and education, and it is preposterous to think that these cuts can happen without patient and student services being affected,” added Fortin. “We’re seeing additional wait times at the hospitals already. When you cut staff, it means that you’re cutting services, so, it’s a ridiculous thing to think that you can have cuts of that magnitude without affecting services.”

Fortin criticized the CAQ government’s financial decisions to subsidize the North Volt battery plant, the millions it spent on bringing the Los Angeles Kings to Quebec City for an exhibition game, and the over $600 million it gave to the Office québécois de la langue française to protect the French language. Fortin pointed out that when Legault took office in 2018, he was sitting on a $7 billion surplus and has wracked up a historic $11 billion deficit with his spending in just seven years. 

“[Legault] has made some horrible financial decisions with Quebecers’ tax money,” said Fortin. “He has invested in things that, from the start, were doomed, and now Quebecers – patients, students, those who need the basic government services – are paying the price for this. It’s government mismanagement at its worst.”

Bussière did not respond to numerous requests for an interview with this newspaper. 

Local MNA silent on education cuts, but Liberals vocal Read More »