Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Nov. 13 on Parliament Hill. But what Blanchet said about Western Canada made headlines. Photo via Prime Minister's Office



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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet yesterday on Parliament Hill.

Blanchet, leader of the Quebec seperatist party, was asked whether he had any advice for Canada’s provinces in the West, where some premiers have stoked sentiment about greater independence within the federation since last month’s election. The Bloc leader did not have any.

“If they were attempting to create a Green state in Western Canada, I might be tempted to help them; if they are trying to create an oil state in Western Canada they cannot expect any help from us,” he said.

Blanchet also said he would not back the Liberal government’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, suggesting it undermines climate efforts. Charlie Pinkerton has more on his comments.

Later yesterday, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney deliver a pointed response to Blanchet in a speech at the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors, reports CTV News.

“You cannot have your cake and eat it too. Pick a lane. Either you can say as Quebec that you no longer are going to take the energy and equalization resources that come from Western Canada’s oil and gas industry, or you can do what we do as Canadians, coming together to support each other,” he said.

Also on the Hill, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said yesterday his party isn’t afraid of voting against the Liberal minority government in the first confidence vote following Trudeau’s Throne Speech scheduled for Dec. 5, when the House of Commons reconvenes.

Singh said his party is open to voting against the Liberals if the speech “doesn’t include some of the priorities that we know that Canadians need.” It includes things such as a national pharmacare plan, justice for First Nations and action addressing climate change.

However, Blanchet said earlier that his party would vote to prop up the Liberals with the 32 seats it won last month. That’s more than the 13 votes Trudeau needs to reach majority support in the House. Singh meets with Trudeau today. Pinkerton reports.

In Other Headlines

Kenney seeks nearly $1.7-billion from Ottawa after collapse in Alberta oil prices (Globe and Mail)

UCP says Kenney aide who spent $18K on London travel was on War Room business (Star Edmonton)

Barack Obama says his approach to politics aligned with Justin Trudeau’s (Canadian Press)

All options but separation on the table to expand autonomy: Saskatchewan premier (CP)

Trudeau offers to consult with detractors on implementation of new environmental-assessment law (Globe and Mail)

ICYMI from iPolitics

Around the World

The top American diplomat in Ukraine testified in the first public impeachment hearing yesterday that he learned of a July telephone call overheard by one of his aides in which President Trump was preoccupied with Ukraine’s willingness to say it would look into political rivals. The testimony adds fuel to allegations that Trump abused his office by trying to enlist a foreign power for partisan gains. (New York Times)

Anti-government protesters paralyzed parts of Hong Kong for a fourth day on Thursday, forcing school closures and blocking highways and other transport links to disrupt the financial hub amid a marked escalation of violence. (Reuters)

China’s industrial output grew significantly slower than expected in October, as weakness in global and domestic demand and the drawn-out China-U.S. trade war weighed on activity in the world’s second-largest economy. (Reuters)

Cartoon of the Day

FINALLY

A U.S. congressman from Arizona published a series of tweets in support of President Donald Trump regarding the House impeachment inquiry.

However, the first letter in each of the tweets, starting with this one, spells out “EPSTEIN DIDNT KILL HIMSELF.”

Have a good day!