With the swearing in of Premier Francois Legault's cabinet yesterday, English speaking Quebecers learned they will not have cabinet level representation in the new CAQ government.
Instead, the Premier himself will take the lead on Anglo issues, as they come up, with the help of a parliamentary assistant, who will oversee the Secretariat for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers.
Christopher Skeete, the MNA for the Laval riding of Sainte-Rose, will take on that job.
“For me the priority is to make English-speaking Quebecers feel like full-fledged Quebecers, Skeete said in an interview with CJAD 800’s Andrew Carter.
For Geoffrey Chambers, who is the President of the Quebec Community Groups Network, it’s still a step in the wrong direction. Though, he admits, it is a place to build from.
“It’s not a step forward,” he said in an interview with CJAD 800 News. “But, remember, we had a secretary for 18 months; prior to that, we had nothing. So, looking at the larger run of history, this isn’t a bad place to be.”
As a Parliamentary Assistant, Skeete will work out of the Premier’s office, giving the Secretariat better access to top government officials.
“I think it will fit into the Premier’s office nicely,” Chambers said. “It will be close to the decision making process, so I think it is a good fit for now.”
Ahead, of the cabinet announcement, it was unclear if there would be any Anglo representation in the CAQ government.
“Premier Legault, I think, is reaching out by naming Chris Skeete to that important position, and maintaining the Secretariat,” said CJAD 800 Commentator Tom Mulcair.
But, he pointed out that the definition of English-speaking Quebecer in the eyes of the new government will only apply to current residents of the province.
The interests of newcomers from other Canadian provinces, or from English-speaking countries around the world, will not fall under the prevue of Christopher Skeete’s office.