Guillaume Cliche-Rivard wants Paul St. Pierre Plamondon to explain who would be barred from coming to Quebec if immigration was drastically reduced.
“If a television network invites the five (party) leaders to explain their position on immigration and debate it, it would be a pleasure for Paul to be there,” said PQ communications director Louis Lyonnais in a written statement. “Paul received a similar request for a one-on-one debate a month ago from (Conservative Party of Quebec Leader) Éric Duhaime. With four MNAs, our leader is not at the service of the other opposition parties who want to express themselves. … (His conversation) is with (Premier) François Legault.”
After arguing online with the PQ leader over immigration, Cliche-Rivard invited St-Pierre Plamondon to a televised debate on the matter.
“We can continue to debate by text, but I think Quebecers deserve to hear us speak. The PQ leader has said repeatedly that it is healthy to debate and engage in exchange. That’s why I’m inviting him to formally debate immigration in a televised debate,” the QS MNA wrote in a statement.
Last week, St-Pierre Plamondon said the PQ would review its levels for permanent immigration to the province, which at the moment stands at 35,000, arguing the situation has changed since the last election. Québec solidaire is calling for annual immigration levels of 60,000 to 80,000.
There are 500,000 temporary immigrants in Quebec.