Trailing in the race to succeed François Legault, Bernard Drainville is putting forward numerous proposals. He promises to return to Quebecers the extra money collected by the government due to soaring gas prices and wants to inject private investment into public transit services.
In a message posted Tuesday morning on social media, Bernard Drainville pointed out that the war in Iran has driven up the price of gasoline.
Related:
“Every time the price at the pump increases, it is Quebecers who have to take more money out of their pockets. But what is often forgotten is that when the price of gasoline increases, the government also collects more,” he wrote on X.
If elected leader, Bernard Drainville plans to calculate how much extra money the government has collected due to the rise in gasoline prices and return that sum “directly to the pockets of Quebecers.”
“This could take the form of a check, a tax credit, or an equivalent measure that puts money back into people’s pockets,” he explained.
The war in Iran, which began on Feb. 28 with strikes led by Israel and the United States, has caused the price of crude oil to surge, which has been reflected in the price at the pump.
In Montreal on Monday, many gas stations were displaying regular gasoline at 176.9 cents per litre, an increase of about 20 cents per litre in less than a week.
“Best service at the best price”
Bernard Drainville also wants the private sector to come to the aid of the public sector, particularly in public transportation services.
“The goal is to deliver the best service at the best cost, by putting in place tendering mechanisms where public and private organizations compete to offer a service,” he said in a statement Tuesday.
Bernard Drainville proposes to “gradually introduce more competition in public transportation, particularly for certain bus routes and certain maintenance activities” and to implement “calls for tenders for the operation of certain crossings or certain services within the Société des traversiers du Québec”.
More broadly, Bernard Drainville believes that Quebec’s welfare state has “allowed for the building of solid institutions,” but that it is now showing “certain limitations.” The private sector must therefore step in to create incentives for performance.
The CSN wasted no time in denouncing the proposal of the aspiring CAQ leader.
“Obsessed with his hatred of unions, Bernard Drainville is ready to see the quality of services decrease in public transit. This is what a recent study demonstrates when we rely on private companies in public transit,” stated its president, Caroline Senneville.
On Monday, Bernard Drainville also proposed strengthening the role of the National Capital Region.
According to the most recent Léger poll published last week, 70 per cent of CAQ supporters prefer Christine Fréchette to succeed François Legault, compared to 20 per cent for Bernard Drainville.
The next leader of the CAQ will be known on April 12.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
