Legault Went On A Facebook Rant About Bill 61 & Trashed His Opponents

In a surprising move Friday morning, Premier François Legault took to Facebook to discuss Bill 61, throwing barbs at his opponents' reactions to the controversial legislation. He put the onus on Quebec's opposition parties to support the bill that he says will "help us revive the Quebec economy and build schools, hospitals, and public transit projects more quickly and repair our roads." He called on Quebecers to support him.

"[The opposition] also wants to speed up the renovation of CHSLDs and seniors' homes. We owe that to the people who built Quebec," Legault stressed .

"These projects are expected in all regions of Quebec. We need them." 

Some of the main concerns with Bill 61 involve certain articles regarding environmental protections that the Québec Solidaire has called "problematic." 

Dominique Anglade, the Parti libéral du Québec (PLQ) leader, described the bill as a "bulldozer [...] a bill that bulldozes the way things are done and that has not been prepared accordingly."

The CAQ has proposed some amendments to Bill 61 in light of the controversy.

The premier mentioned that he listened to the concerns regarding "environmental protection, section 50 on the integrity of public contracts and the period of time during which a state of health emergency applies." 

Offering to tighten the bill's environmental protections, removing Article 50, and ending the state-of-emergency as of October 1, 2020, the CAQ hoped that the opposition parties would accept the changes. 

Legault said that instead of agreeing, "the opposition parties decided to refuse the hand extended by the government." 

"The opposition prefers to score political points instead of working in good faith to stimulate the economy and build the facilities expected by Quebeckers."

READ ALSO: What Is Quebec Bill 61 & Why Is Everyone Talking About It? Here's What You Need To Know

Legault argues that Quebec will be capable of proceeding with economic projects more quickly and efficiently should the bill go into law. 

According to the premier, it takes four to seven years to build a CHSLD. 

"Quebec is capable of building its infrastructure much more quickly while respecting environmental requirements and the rules of good management," said Legault. 

"I still hope that they will change their attitude, that they will vote for the principle of the bill, and that we can continue the discussions next week."

"We owe it to Quebeckers to at least try to get along," he concluded.