Quebec's next premier says he promises to hit the ground running as PQ takes power

Quebec's next premier says he promises to hit the ground running as PQ takes power

'We will govern for all Quebecers,' says Quebec's premier-designate

Quebec's premier-designate says he is already getting the ball rolling on several initiatives he announced during the campaign.

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, a day after securing a minority government for the Parti Québécois, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said he is looking to take on certain issues right away.

He mentioned combating the homelessness crisis, boosting food bank funding, forming a team to handle trade talks with the U.S. and stripping down some of the previous government's failed projects, including SAAQclic.

At the same time, he said, money doesn't grow on trees, and it's crucial that each step be taken with care to ensure public funds are properly managed.

"Yesterday, Quebecers decided to elect a competent team, made up of men and women ready to govern Quebec," he said. "As I said in my speech, the work begins."

This is the first time since 2012 that Quebecers have elected the sovereignist party.

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St-Pierre Plamondon has vowed to hold a referendum in his first term as premier, though he plans to wait until U.S. Donald Trump has left the Oval Office before doing so.

The PQ ended election night with 59 seats, five shy of a majority government. The Quebec Liberal Party, led by Charles Milliard, will form the Official Opposition. Their seat total stands at 40.

For more on Monday night's results, click here.

During the news conference Tuesday, St-Pierre Plamondon noted his election comes 50 years after René Lévesque and the PQ won the provincial election on Nov. 15, 1976, defeating Robert Bourassa's Liberal Party.

"Our government must seek to draw inspiration from the 1976 team in its ability to have an immediate positive impact on society and to find solutions where we can find them," he said.

He said he plans to meet with each party leader in the coming weeks, seeking collaboration not just with the opposition parties but also the public. He said that does not mean "we will agree on everything," but it's time to return to civil dialogue in the province.

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His first objective is to reduce the province's number of people experiencing homelessness by half. At the same time, he will boost food bank funding by $5 million per year, he said.

He wants to release the needed funds to address homelessness. He said he also wants to take a hard look at the province's finances.

"We have a responsibility to be rigorous and to manage our public funds," St-Pierre Plamondon said.

He said the goal will be to reduce spending as much as possible while improving services to the population.

"Another big priority for our government will obviously be to lower the cost of living," he said, noting his intention to update the province's tax policy. That includes lowering the gas tax and eliminating the tax on used goods, he said.

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St-Pierre Plamondon said he spoke with Prime Minister Mark Carney on the phone Tuesday morning.

"I intend to work with the Canadian prime minister," he said, as well as the premiers of other provinces, in the best interests of Quebec.

He said he plans to meet with Christine Fréchette, the outgoing premier, to ensure a smooth transition.

"We will govern for all Quebecers," he said. "Quebecers can count on us to serve everyone."

Isaac Olson is a journalist with CBC Montreal. He worked largely as a newspaper reporter and photographer for 15 years before joining CBC in the spring of 2018.