http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
MONTREAL – Jean Charest’s Liberals predict Quebec will make the historic transformation into a “have” province over the next quarter-century thanks to an ambitious northern-development plan.
Quebec’s natural resources minister says the project — known as “Plan Nord” — will enable the province to wean itself off decades of federal equalization transfers, tackle its heavy debt, and bankroll its costly social programs.
Clement Gignac’s prediction would see the province pump cash into the federation for the first time since the modern equalization program was established in the 1950s. Amid campaign clashes over tuition fees, corruption allegations and Quebec independence, Plan Nord is a sleeper issue heading into the Sept. 4 election.
Gignac says the initiative, which includes mining, energy and tourism projects, has the potential to become a game-changer for Quebec, much like the Hibernia oil project was for reversing the once-grim economic fortunes in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“It will increase our financial autonomy… and it will be a win-win for everybody,” Gignac told The Canadian Press in an interview.
“I think the rest of Canada will not perceive Quebec (in) the same way when it happens… And as a French-Canadian and Quebecer, I’m hoping that we will perceive ourselves differently.”
Quebec received more than $50 billion in federal transfers between 2005-06 and 2011-12. It is slated to receive nearly $7.4 billion in 2012-13.
The Liberals estimate Plan Nord will churn out $80 billion in public and private investment over a quarter-century, and create 20,000 jobs. The project, unveiled in 2011, focuses on development across a massive area north of the 49th parallel that is about twice the size of France.
Gignac says if all goes according to plan, the Quebec of 2036 will see its previously inaccessible northern regions humming with mining activity, Sept-Iles bustling as Canada’s second-busiest port and Quebecers enjoying more wealth than ever.
A study will be conducted on the possibility of constructing a deep-water port on Hudson Bay and the plan is expected to generate about 3,000 megawatts of renewable hydroelectric energy for the province.
Plan Nord also pledges to consult local communities in the process and aims to make half of the territory exempt from industrial development.
To entice investors, Plan Nord calls for the government to invest $2.1 billion in public money on infrastructure —such as roads and airports — that will ease access to faraway regions.
In the end, the Liberals predict the endeavour will pump $14 billion into provincial coffers.
But the optimism is not shared by all, as the initiative faces much criticism over economic, social and environmental concerns.
The Parti Quebecois accuses Charest of selling off Quebec’s natural wealth at bargain-basement prices.
It says the province’s mining royalties are too low. It promises to create an additional 30 per cent tax on all mining profits beyond a certain level.
And the PQ says the government should only spend taxpayer money on infrastructure projects if companies give something in return, such as a stake in the operation.
For the rest of this article, please go to the Winnipeg Free Press website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/quebec-will-become-have-province-under-northern-development-plan-liberals-165894856.html