Quebec's New Cabinet: Business Groups Approve, Urge Quick Action

0:00It's April 22nd. Welcome to Canada News Today, powered by AI. Quebec Premier Christine Freyshed dropped her first cabinet line up and business groups are giving it a solid nod. Key highlight is Bernard Draenville stepping up as super minister for economy, innovation, and energy. They see this team as experienced and ready to tackle big issues like growth and jobs. Reappointments are drawing praise too, with France Elaine Doranso back at the Treasury Board, Eric Gerard handling finance, and Jean-Bullet on, labor. Francois Bonardel returns to lead immigration, which fits right into the labor shortage puzzle businesses face. Leaders from the Quebec Employers Council, Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, and Canadian Federation of Independent Business are fired up, but stressing urgency. With just weeks left in Parliament, they want fast moves to cut red tape, ease regulations, and match policies to real workforce needs. Expectations are sky high for quick wins.

1:01On immigration, the revival of the Quebec Experience Program scores points as a good start. Still, groups push for bigger quotas on temporary foreign workers to give companies stability. They also call for simpler public procurement, so more Quebec firms can grab those contracts. This cabinet blends bets with fresh energy, but the clock is ticking. Businesses need action now to keep Quebec competitive and humming.