Quebec’s new premier is set to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney this morning in Ottawa, less than 48 hours after she was sworn into office.
Christine Fréchette’s office told The Canadian Press the premier is pleased Carney agreed to meet her on such short notice.
The two are to discuss issues related to economic development, immigration, infrastructure, housing and the cost of living.
With less than six months ahead of the provincial election, Fréchette is looking to demonstrate her brand of nationalism can secure gains from Ottawa.
Among Quebec’s demands from the federal government is a more equitable distribution of asylum seekers across the country.
The province also wants the Carney government to intervene and help ensure a massive hydroelectric deal is finalized with Newfoundland and Labrador.
After her meeting with Carney, Fréchette will head to Laval, where she will make an announcement regarding the cost of living. She will appear before the media at 2:30 p.m., according to her official schedule.
Since being elected leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec on Sunday, Fréchette has been insisting that her short-term priority will be to help Quebecers suffocated by the rising cost of living.
“My new government will ease the pressure on Quebecers,” she reiterated on Wednesday, the day she officially succeeded François Legault as head of the Quebec government.
She specifically promised to take action on the grocery basket, gasoline and property transfer taxes.
