Tula Drimonis: CAQ doesn't let facts get in the way

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The Coalition Avenir Quebec government has never played much of a consulting role, but now I feel it has entered “I do what I feel like” territory. That includes ignoring his own advisory committee's recommendation to raise tuition fees because – get this – the report came four days after the deadline set by Higher Education Minister Pascale Dery (shocked in the middle of the holiday season).

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So let me get this straight: the experts have come together your ask to investigate a controversial decision that is widely considered disastrous, and instead of heeding their warnings, you ignore them because they missed a deadline?

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Call me cynical, but I believe the committee's findings, which contradict the government's plan, have something to do with it.

The committee concluded that hiking tuition fees is “unjustified” and “threatens access to quality education and deprives society of potential talent.” This forces many to take a step back and reconsider. Unfortunately, not CAQ. Citing no studies and ignoring the inherent contradictions, the government accused mostly out-of-province students of simultaneously anglicizing Quebec and not following through after graduation.

The decision could severely damage the city's finances and reputation and the province's ability to attract international talent, but the CAQ is pressing ahead, consequences be damned.

It has become a habit in this government not to listen to experts and those most affected by its decisions. I think it might be suffering from some version of the “can't ask for directions” syndrome. Some people prefer to ignore advice and go in circles rather than admit failure or a flawed plan.

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Prime Minister François Legault has a paternalistic, authoritarian streak — I blame his former CEO status — and the extended pandemic, in which his government has faced little opposition, seems to have exacerbated that trend.

The CAQ has not hesitated to call for closure when the unsavory business of democratic debate has delayed the process. So far, it's Bill 21 (secularism), Bill 9 (immigration), Bill 40 (school boards), Bill 34 (hydro rates) and, most recently, Bill 15 — despite thousands of Quebecers signing a petition and six former premiers pushing for massive health care. called for more consultations on reforms.

When the government decided to invest billions to help fund the Northvolt battery plant, opposition parties called for an impact assessment study and consultation. CAQ said no bones.

When Bill 96 was pushed through, CEGEP was frustrated by the lack of impact analysis and consultation on students and teachers. They warned that it would punish those on the ground, causing deep anxiety and uncertainty and requiring revisions to budgets and curricula. Bill 96 seemed more like a political tool than a pedagogical one, they said. Cricket from Govt.

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When Le Devoir reported that the proportion of asylum seekers in Quebec was not as high as the government claimed, Immigration Minister Christine Frechette responded that “the number of wars does not help anyone.”

He basically just shrugged his shoulders at the … facts? Shouldn't public policy be informed and guided by real information? Undetermined decisions have consequences.

Of course, the government must press ahead despite opposition. Such is the nature of management. But CAQ too often ignores experts on the ground, steers clear of the trial balloon, or flouts legislation and then backtracks after backlash. His autocratic style has been criticized by health workers, teachers, constitutional lawyers, opposition parties and university deans.

Then there's the repetition of the clause regardless. Just this week, the government confirmed it intended to update Bill 21's immunity from litigation, again ending any chance of debate.

When it comes to major reforms, governments have an obligation not only to consult, but also to seek different opinions and different perspectives. Specialization is important. CAQ's failure to consult is egregious and only serves to undermine confidence in the political process.

Tula Drimonis is a Montreal-based journalist and author of Us, the Others: Allophones, Immigrants and Belonging in Canada. X @toulastake

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