Federal Jobs at Risk in Independent Québec, Warns Paul St-Pierre Plamondon
Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon, leader of the Parti Québécois, told voters that some federal public servants would face cuts in the event of Quebec independence. Filmogaz.com reports he pledged to be “100% transparent” about plans to slim the state.
Radio‑Canada appearance
Mr. St‑Pierre Plamondon made the remarks on the Radio‑Canada program La parole aux mordus de politique on Friday. He answered audience questions for about an hour.
Exchange with a Gatineau civil servant
The leader responded to a question from a federal employee living in Gatineau. Host Sébastien Bovet warned the comments could cost votes in the Outaouais region.
Position on federal civil servants
He explicitly rejected Jacques Parizeau’s 1995 promise to automatically absorb federal workers into the Quebec civil service. Instead, he said some federal jobs would not be continued, while others would be preserved under the same conditions.
He told Gatineau residents that the decisions would be local and clear. He argued the measures would serve Quebec’s interests.
Federal jobs at risk and messaging
Mr. St‑Pierre Plamondon warned that federal jobs would be at risk in an independent Québec. He urged voters concerned about language protection and immigration policy to cast ballots based on Quebec interests.
Fiscal rationale and promises
The leader cited the repatriation of roughly 90 billion dollars in federal taxes and revenues. He said recovering those funds would reduce duplication and an expensive bureaucracy.
He also forecasted likely lower taxes for Quebecers and improved pensions under independence. He tied those pledges to an overall plan to slim government spending.
Party planning and transparency
The Parti Québécois dedicates a full chapter of its Livre bleu to the fate of federal civil servants. That chapter has not yet been made public, the leader said.
He emphasized his preference for openness rather than the secrecy he associated with 1995 planning. The stated goal is to redirect savings toward health care and education.
Impact on the Quebec public service
Mr. St‑Pierre Plamondon acknowledged there would be job losses within the Quebec public service as well. He did not specify the scale of those reductions.
The party promises to reduce administrative controls, cut red tape, and decentralize functions where feasible.
Mr. St‑Pierre Plamondon says further details will follow as plans are finalized. Filmogaz.com will monitor developments and report on new disclosures.
