Thread by @JPTasker

The TVA French language debate is about to begin. Only four leaders on stage tonight - the Bloc's Blanchet, @AndrewScheer, @JustinTrudeau and @theJagmeetSingh

@AndrewScheer @JustinTrudeau @theJagmeetSingh First theme - immigration and social policy - and a question about abortion.

Scheer says Quebecers should have confidence that under a Conservative government led by him they will not re-open divisive debates like abortion and same-sex marriage. Blanchet is trying to challenge him on this - saying a Bloc MP would never vote to limit these things

Blanchet says what is your actual *personal* position on these questions? Quebecers want to know. Scheer sticks to his lines: nothing will change in the future under a Conservative government.

Scheer says Blanchet is trying to create fear among the people - nothing will change under the Conservatives.

Next question for Trudeau on medical-assistance in dying. Trudeau says the law can evolve with, when they first introduced the federal law in 2016 they tried to strike a balance. "It will continue to evolve." Singh says as it's written it's too limited.

Trudeau says there needs to be a balance between protecting the most vulnerable while also giving people the right to access this service. But, he's open to evolution on how it's applied.

Singh says the criteria is too limited for medical assistance in dying and he'll change it after the recent Quebec Superior Court decision.

Trudeau goes straight at Scheer. What is your *personal* views on abortion? "Do you know believe ... that women have a right to choose, Mr. Scheer?" Scheer says a Conservative government won't open the debate.

Singh says it's unacceptable to debate the rights of women.

Trudeau says there are three of us who are aligned with Quebec values, and then there's Mr. Scheer.

"Answer me this - do you believe women have the right to choose? Yes or no," Trudeau says. Scheer is a bit flustered under the three-way attack.

Now Bill 21. Blanchet says the Quebec national assembly's decision should be final on this. Quebecers fought for secularism in the Quiet Revolution

Trudeau says he will defend the rights of minorities. He says it's a discussion for Quebecers right now. He says he believes, personally, a free society shouldn't legitmize discrimination. He stands up for minorities - including francophones outside Quebec.

Blanchet says Quebecers voted for the CAQ and they passed this law, they don't want to see their tax dollars to go to Ottawa to fight this case in court.

Trudeau says of course it's important to have a secular state, my father fought for this in the Quiet Revolution.

Trudeau says are you opposed to people going to the courts to fight it? Blanchet says most Quebecers support this secularist law.

Trudeau says he won't close the door on the federal government defending the rights of Canadians in court - just like he would for women and francophones outside of Quebec.

Singh says he understands Quebecers are very much supportive of secularism - and he will defend secularism on things like same-sex marriage, abortion, medical assistance in dying.

Singh says as a child he fell in love with the French language. He says it's enriched his life. He says he wants to promote the French language, give more money to help protect the linguistic/cultural rights of Quebecers.

Scheer says he will work with province to promote the integration of immigrants into the dominant French culture in Quebec.

Blanchet says Quebec isn't just a territory on North America, it's a nation. He says promoting French Quebec culture among immigrants is called racist by Liberal MPs. Trudeau says that's not true.

Blanchet says the federal parties - on all these issues - must respect the jurisdiction of the national assembly. Scheer says voting for the Bloc does absolutely nothing for Quebecers - it was the Conservatives who recognized Quebec as a nation within Canada.

On to Roxham Rd. Trudeau forget the fear - we have a system that is working. Blanchet says it's not working at all.

Question on cannabis. Scheer says Trudeau passed the law too quickly and didn't listen to the provinces and experts. He says black market continues and young people still have access.

Trudeau says will you reverse legalization? Scheer says it's still run by criminals. He says the Conservatives won't go back but he'll give more resources to police

Trudeau says yes it's a new system, it's harder now for children to buy it, and we'll continue.

Will you decriminalize the simple possession of all drugs? Trudeau says now right now. Pivots to Scheer. He says the Conservatives don't support safe consumption sites and Scheer is out of step with Quebecers on these issues. He says Scheer is practising the politics of fear.

Scheer says under your safe consumption sites plan - you didn't properly consider community input. He says his policy will focus on addiction. I wrote about Scheer's position last week: cbc.ca/news/politics/…

On seniors. Trudeau says the Liberal Party has actually done something - OAS, GIS, CPP - Bloc haven't done anything in Ottawa for elderly Quebecers.

Scheer it's always the same with Bloc - they're never at the table to do anything. If you want change, vote Conservative to replace Trudeau.

Trudeau and Scheer spar on taxes. Trudeau says the rich benefit the most under the Conservative plan. Singh jumps in too says you'll cut social services to benefit the rich.

Now on to climate. He's asked about oil. What do you say to young people? Scheer says the sector here has the highest standards in the world, better to buy Canadian than import foreign. Scheer says things we produce here - like aluminium in Quebec - are done with lower emissions.

Singh says it's a real crisis - and you're not proposing enough. Scheer says carbon taxes just don't work, our plan will make life more affordable and will give people a green home reno tax credit.

Singh says young people are worried about the climate. He says he'll cut subsidies for oil and gas sector and reinvest in green tech - and try and electrify all vehicles and give money to renovate homes.

Scheer wasn't best for the climate is for Canada to reduce emissions in a global context - CO2 doesn't have a passport. Singh interjects saying Scheer would impose a pipeline on Quebec

You say you're a climate fighter and yet you bought TMX. Trudeau says it was a difficult decision we bought the pipeline and we'll reinvest all the profits the green transition. He says right now our only market is the U.S.

Trudeau says he's committed to net-zero by 2050 - carbon tax will help and most of it will be rebated to families at tax time.

Blanchet is asked about his record on the environment in government - the Parti Quebecois pursued oil exploration on Anticosti Island: cbc.ca/news/canada/mo…

Trudeau says the Liberals have set ambitious targets and they'll get there. Blanchet says they're the same targets as Harper. Trudeau says Bloc can never work on a pan-Canadian plan to reduce emissions.

Will you impose a pipeline on Quebec? Scheer says they'll create an energy corridor that will be a win-win. Quebec can sell it's hydro across borders, he says. When pressed by Singh, Scheer says he respects provincial jurisdiction.

Trudeau says Scheer won't stand up to the likes of Ford and Kenney.

Trudeau says Scheer is misleading Canadians on a carbon tax - the money will be returned. He says conservative politicians across the country are fighting against climate action.

Scheer say you're a hypocrite Trudeau - where's your canoe? Where's your mask? (blackface) (Basically calling him a phoney.)

Blanchet asked electric vehicles. He wants more support to help people buy them. He's proposing more vehicles be electrified - and they be made in Quebec.

Scheer says the most popular vehicle in Quebec is the F-150 - clearly Quebecers still need gas for their cars, he says.

Scheer says Bloc won't implement anything on the environment (This is Tory line tonight - forget the Bloc, they're useless.)

Taxing the web giants. Singh says Trudeau has given them a big present by not taxing them or ensuring Canadian culture. Trudeau says Canada is working with G7 on this - but he says there needs to be a tax on the giants.

But you didn't apply TPS on Netflix? Trudeau says they're working on a global approach to taxing these companies. He says Liberals have helped cultural industries - investments in Telefilm, CBC/Radio-Canada.

Asking about consumer privacy after things like the Desjardins leak, Facebook. Blanchet says people must be made whole for having info stolen. Scheer promises legislation. Trudeau says he will give consumers more rights.

Now a question about protecting Quebec companies. Blanchet says it's important to keep headquarters in the province. He says Ottawa needs to use its tool to stop transactions

Now on to deficits. You're going to balance the budget Mr. Scheer - where will you cut? Scheer says he promised to keep health transfers. He says he'll cut $1.5 in corporate welfare, $1.5 billion in foreign aid for "rich countries."

Scheer says the Liberal government's unlimited budget deficits just increases the debt - and we're paying more to the banks to service that debt as opposed to spending it on essential services.

Trudeau says we make different decisions than the Conservatives. We've invested in families, seniors, infrastructure, our communities. We've lifted thousands out of poverty. Our debt is sustainable relative to our GDP.

Scheer says Trudeau will just raise your taxes to pay for his unlimited deficits. Trudeau says we've reduced taxes for the middle class, and invested in communities. He criticizes without sharing his fiscal plan, Trudeau says.

Blanchet there's a lot of money out there - cutting subsidies oil/gas, taxing the web giants - that can help with the revenue problem. Singh says unfortunately he agrees with the Bloc on this. He also pitches a tax on the ultra rich.

Trudeau says Scheer is pitching a tax that will just benefit the rich. Scheer says only someone who is so disconnected from reality would say the plan is only for the wealthy - somebody making $47,000 isn't rich, he says.

Third theme - governance and Quebec in Canada. Is Quebec a province like all the others? Not at all. He says it's unique in the Confederation. Trudeau says you need Quebec MPs at the heart of federal government to help in the fight against climate change, to help the middle class

Legault isn't a separatist anymore - he calls himself a nationalist. So what is the Bloc now? We're obviously sovereigntists, independence supporters. Blanchet says he's more like a Jacques Parizeau (who led 1995 referendum fight.)

Blanchet says Ottawa needs to protect francophones just as well as Quebec treats its English minority (?). Trudeau says he protects francophones wherever they are in the country

Singh says not including Quebec in the Constitution is a problem will you fix that Mr. Scheer? Scheer says a past Conservative government tried to make that right (Mulroney, of course.)

Blanchet says Scheer likes to say it did a lot - recognizing Quebec as a nation, gave it a seat at UNESCO, addressed fiscal imbalance - but it was Bloc MPs in a minority gov't situation that forced his hand on those things.

Scheer says if you're so interested in provincial politics, M. Blanchet, go run for a seat as a Parti Quebecois MNA.

What will do you to promote bilingualism in Canada? Scheer says he met with Ford after some cuts were announced to franco programs in the province.

Blanchet goes after Scheer for being cozy with Ford and Kenney.

A question now about SNC. Singh says Trudeau actions show he was just working to protect the interests of the rich corporations.

Do you have a problem with ethics? Trudeau says he was just working to protect SNC workers in the province and throughout the country.

Trudeau says he also worked to lift U.S. tariffs on the steel and aluminium tariffs, which helps workers in Quebec. He says he secured important protections in NAFTA on the environment and the labour. Singh says Canada got a raw deal - and there aren't any enforceable protections

Singh says as soon as an Indigenous woman (JWR) said no - you kicked her out of the party. That's unacceptable.

Scheer says Trudeau undermined the independence of the judiciary. Trudeau jumps in - I was protecting the SNC jobs.

Scheer says jobs weren't threatened in the SNC scandal. Blanchet said you would have sat by and let the company falter and jobs go to other jurisdictions.

Scheer said Trudeau capitulated to Trump on NAFTA. Trudeau says that's completely false - Harper and Scheer proposed folding to the U.S., and we did nothing of the sort. Trudeau says Canada secured a good agreement.

Now, foreign affairs. Do you think you represent the country well around the world? Absolutely. Trudeau says we have trade deals with all the G7 countries. We secured progressive agreements with Asia, Europe, the U.S.

What has Bloc done in Parliament? Have they gotten anything passed? He says Bloc works well in a minority parliament. (FWIW, Bloc MPs did virtually nothing of substance in the last Parliament.)

On Indigenous issues, Blanchet says Trudeau didn't pass UNDRIP. Trudeau says they tried but Conservative senators helped it die (which is true; but gov't didn't introduce its own legislation on this.) Trudeau says they will bring it back if re-elected.

Trudeau says Conservative government did nothing for Indigenous peoples. Scheer says Harper offered historic apology for residential schools.

Now closing statements. Singh says he'll fight for Quebecers - he supports an asymmetrical federalism. Scheer says Trudeau has made life too expensive and the Bloc will never replace the Liberals.

Scheer says he needs the Quebec nation to help form a majority government. Blanchet says the federalist parties have presented their vision for Canada - but there hasn't been a voice for Quebecers in Ottawa over the last four years.

Trudeau says you need to choose forward - to advance climate action, for help for seniors and families, to protect language, culture, and the rights of women. He says the Conservatives "don't share our values." We need Quebecers in government, JT says.