Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard used a historic address to the Ontario legislature to flex the political and economic muscle of the two most populous provinces — and appeal for a united Canada.

Couillard, the first Quebec premier to speak to the house at Queen’s Park since Jean Lesage in 1964, delivered a passionate and unapologetic defence of the Canadian federation.

“Rather than a unitary state, our country is a federation where differences are respected,” he told a special session of the legislature before signing a trade deal with Premier Kathleen Wynne that will improve access to government procurement contracts for businesses in both provinces.

His unabashedly federalist message was warmly greeted by MPPs from all three parties wary of the debilitating unity debates of the past.

“We must rise above short-term visions because of our shared responsibility to our citizens of today and tomorrow,” said Couillard.

“We are natural allies. Together, we currently account for over 60 per cent of the Canadian population and close to 60 per cent of Canada’s GDP (gross domestic product),” he said.

“Central Canada is an economic force, it is a political force and it is a force to be reckoned with for ensuring national prosperity.”

Couillard praised Wynne for partnering with Quebec in a cap-and-trade system designed to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.

“Putting a price on carbon is a logical choice . . . that will yield concrete results,” he said.

Wynne said, “Through collaboration we are fully confronting the challenges ahead.”

“It’s imperative that we continue to join forces. By combining our efforts to fight climate change we are building a stronger, greener economy.”

Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown, who was elected Saturday but lacks a seat at Queen’s Park, injected some partisanship to the occasion in his inaugural speech to the house.

Speaking mostly in French, the Barrie MP, who opposes the cap-and-trade scheme, hailed the partnership between Ontario and Quebec, but provoked jeers from the Liberal benches when he alluded to electricity rates.

“This is the type of example that I’d like to see here in Ontario — businesses moving here because of our hydro rates, rather than moving away. You are able to adopt a cap-and-trade policy because you have reasonable hydro rates,” said Brown.

“You focus on cheap power and you are able to attract jobs to your province. I applaud this initiative . . . . I hope that one day Ontario will be rivalling you for those jobs,” he said as Wynne looked on.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath also took some partisan shots at the Liberals over energy rates and the Grits’ planned sell-off of 60 per cent of Hydro One.

“The people of Quebec — with their public system — pay electricity bills that are less than half of that of Ontarians. The Ontario NDP caucus believes in public power,” said Horwath.

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Former NDP premier Bob Rae, looking down from the visitors’ gallery, lamented the tone of opposition leaders on Twitter.

“Both Horvath (sic) and Brown use (Premier) Couillard’s visit to make partisan speeches. Welcome to the world of cheap shots,” tweeted Rae, who is now a Liberal.

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