Bloc Québecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet says he prefers former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s collaborative style to that of his successor Mark Carney.
On Wednesday, Blanchet criticized the new prime minister for not having contacted him, particularly regarding the ongoing trade war with the U.S.
The Bloc leader said he is still waiting for his first phone call from Carney, whereas Trudeau, when he was prime minister, sometimes contacted Blanchet to discuss projects and issues.
Blanchet said he would like to talk to Carney to agree on a coherent and unified response to the threat of tariffs from the U.S., which could materialize on Wednesday.
The Bloc has also put forward solutions to help the softwood lumber industry, which could be hit hard by tariffs.
The party is calling for the federal government to adopt a Wood Charter, along the lines of what has already been done in Quebec since 2013.
The charter would require the government to prioritize the use of wood products in the construction and renovation of buildings.
Legislation was passed in October 2023, but according to the Bloc, it does not go far enough.
In the current law, the minister “may authorize the use of wood or any other thing.”
In the context of the current trade war with the United States, Quebec’s wood producers could lose their main client.
To compensate, the Bloc says the use of wood in the local market must be encouraged.
The Bloc leader made his announcement at the Cedrico lumber mill in Causapscal in the Matapédia valley.
The plant, like so many others in Quebec, would be affected by Wednesday’s announcement of 25 per cent tariffs by the U.S. administration.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 2, 2025.
