Meet the combative Quebec minister in charge of Canadian relations

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OTTAWA — Quebec Premier François Legault has put the father of the province’s controversial religious symbols law, Simon Jolin-Barrette, in charge of dealing with the federal government.

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Buckle up, Canada, this could be a bumpy ride.

“(In Canada), it has long been ‘What does Quebec want?’ From now on, Quebec is not waiting for anyone to move forward,” Jolin-Barrette told the National Post in an interview.

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“We will not apologize for defending who we are, and we will not apologize for ensuring that Quebec obtains gains within the Canadian federation in order to ensure its autonomy,” he added.

The message to Ottawa is clear: Jolin-Barrette, 37, means business. And a glance at his resume shows that he likes to shake things up. In Quebec City, he is nicknamed the “reformer” and is considered one of the most effective parliamentarians in the National Assembly.

He is minister of justice, he is the government’s parliamentary leader, he sits on four committees and, if that wasn’t enough, he will now be handling the Canadian relations file.

After calling him a “robot” for his ability to answer questions without batting an eyelid a few years ago, Legault said Jolin-Barrette has “a lot of energy” and that he gave him the mandate to “write a constitution for Quebec.”

After 10 years in the National Assembly and six years in cabinet, Jolin-Barrette is ready for his next fight.

The province has imposed itself on immigration, border security and provincial autonomy. The provincial constitution, which should be drafted by the next provincial election in 2026, would emphasize exactly that.

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And among the federation, politicians will find “a partner”, he hopes.

It has long been ‘What does Quebec want?’ From now on, Quebec is not waiting for anyone to move forward

And Ottawa, it seems, is happy to have him on board. His federal counterpart, Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, welcomed his appointment this week and “intends to work closely” with him, according to his spokesperson Gabriel Brunet.

“But, things need to change with the federal government to ensure that the areas of jurisdiction of the various provinces and their autonomy are respected,” Jolin-Barrette said.

According to sources, the federal government better be prepared to face a determined politician who is described as very knowledgeable and always able to find ways to win.

“Those involved in intergovernmental relations who will have to interact with him must expect to be in the presence of a minister and a deputy minister at the same time. He appropriates and masters the knowledge of the government machine,” said Patrick Taillon, a professor of constitutional law at Laval University who has worked with the minister on several occasions.

Jolin-Barrette has been responsible for immigration, the French language and secularism, and he is the father of two of the most controversial laws adopted by a Quebec government. Bill 21, which prohibits certain public sector workers, such as judges, police officers, teachers and prison guards, from wearing religious symbols at work and requires them to perform their duties with their faces uncovered.

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And Bill 96, which makes Quebec officially a francophone province and gives the province tools to strengthen the use of French in public services.

In both cases, Quebec has used the notwithstanding clause of the Constitution to shield the law from the courts. Every five years, this provision must be renewed by Quebec’s legislature.

His appointment comes as the Supreme Court will soon have to decide whether his Bill 21 is constitutional.

The day the court announced it would hear the case, Jolin-Barrette said in a statement that federal intervention before the highest court would be “not only disrespectful,” but “could only be considered an attack” on provincial autonomy.

A few days after being sworn in, he introduced a motion calling on the National Assembly to “formally oppose any judicial action by the federal government that seeks to intervene in Quebec’s areas of jurisdiction.” The Liberal opposition rejected it.

The move was intended to send a message to Ottawa not to spend a single public penny to challenge Bill 21.

Attorney General Arif Virani has already said Ottawa would participate in the legal challenge because it is in the national interest.

“It’s very important to be here because we now have a case that will impact all Canadians and not just people in one province,” he said.

Jolin-Barrette disagrees. Ottawa should stay in its lane, he argues, and leave the provinces alone.

His appointment also came just days before his predecessor and fellow immigration minister Jean-François Roberge introduced Bill 84, the National Integration Act, which sets out the integration model in Quebec.

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Quebec wants immigrants who settle in the province and those from cultural minorities to commit to adhering to the nation’s values, its language and its culture, as well as to contributing to them.

This bill, a first, lays the foundations for a new model specific to the Quebec nation and formally enshrines it in a law.

Roberge even presented a motion to “reject Canadian multiculturalism” at the National Assembly. The motion did not pass. And Jolin-Barrette was not happy about it, calling the Liberal Party of Quebec “a branch” of the federal Liberals.

“The Liberal Party of Quebec has moved from Robert Bourassa’s distinct society to Justin Trudeau’s multicultural Canada,” he wrote on social media.

It was combative, as usual. And the Trudeau government is about to get a taste of it.

National Post
atrepanier@postmedia.com

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