Quebec will manage worker training programs, Fréchette tells Ottawa
BEAUCEVILLE — The premier of Quebec, Christine Fréchette, is reminding the federal government that labour training is a provincial jurisdiction and not under the control of Ottawa.
But she said she believes Ottawa and Quebec can come to an agreement over the issue.
“We will be working and communicating with the federal government,” Fréchette told reporters following an economic announcement in the Beauce region.
“In fact, I established contact this morning with minister Champagne to say this is Quebec’s jurisdiction and it needs to be considered and part of what the Quebec government will manage.”
Her comments come after the federal government announced plans to build up Canada’s skilled trades with $6 billion over five years to recruit, train and hire up to 100,000 new trade workers.
The plan was announced by federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne.
In theory, if an agreement is reached, Quebec’s share of the pie would be about $200 million for 2026. That could rise to $1 billion over five years.
It would use the money to pay for its existing training system, which it has managed since 1997 under the Canada-Quebec Labour Market Agreement.
“We have historic agreements and traditionally we’ve worked that investment through the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT),” Fréchette said.
“I consider this should be the way to go for this amount of investment.”
Quebec’s Minister of Canadian relations, Jean Boulet, was taken off guard by Ottawa’s announcement.
“Ottawa must respect Quebec’s jurisdictions,” Boulet told reporters earlier Wednesday.
“It’s important to dialogue with Ottawa, to ensure we understand their intentions and that our actors and partners benefit under our conditions and based on our interests and ambitions.”
“It’s the money,” Boulet said. “We will use the money but in conformity with our needs and aspirations because it is under provincial jurisdiction exclusively.”
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