Landry said the payments, which Quebec has been receiving since 1957, are degrading. Landry said Quebec wouldn't need equalization if it were given its fair share of federal spending. Tobin said he didn't take Landry's comments too seriously. I just find it a little bit unusual or strange that the gentleman who's going to be the next premier of Quebec would not acknowledge in a positive way the contribution of the government of Canada to stabilizing the fiscal circumstances of provinces like Quebec. The former Newfoundland premier noted seven provinces receive the payments, including his own.
Economic disparity is a Canadian reality that occurs within provinces, and nationally.
With Landry set to be sworn in as premier next week, Tobin urged him to make the economies of Quebec and Canada his top priority. The increase in equalization payments, announced Tuesday by Finance Minister Paul Martin, is the result of Ottawa having more money for poorer provinces than it had originally estimated. Martin suggested the continuing threat of separation still dogs the Quebec economy, keeping it in a constant catch-up effort. Tell us what you think.