Quebec to demand crime bill reimbursement

Quebec says it will demand that Ottawa repay the costs associated with the implementation of the federal government's omnibus crime legislation, otherwise known as Bill C-10.

In an interview airing Saturday on The House, Quebec Justice Minister Jean-Marc Fournier tells host Evan Solomon that if the province has to comply, Quebec will insist that Ottawa foot the bill for the costs associated with the government's tough-on-crime agenda.

"It will be a demand from Quebec, [for] years after years, after years."

Quebec will continue to fight the costs associated with the bill even if it means taking it up with future governments, Fournier said.

The province has estimated it will cost as much as $600 million to build new prisons and pay for other costs required to enforce the new crime laws.

"They [the federal government] will have to pay for that," insisted Fournier.

"You can't ask your neighbour to pay for something he doesn't want."

Also in an interview airing Saturday on The House, federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson tells Solomon the provinces — including Quebec — will be receiving "more money from the federal government, but we will expect them to continue to administer those areas that have been given to them by the constitution."

According to Nicholson, Ottawa committed to increasing transfer payments due to Bill C-10 by $2.4 billion.

The Ontario government has also called on Ottawa to foot the additional costs associated with the bill, estimating it would cost the province more than $1 billion in increased police and court costs.

Provincial and territorial justice ministers met with Nicholson in Charlottetown, earlier this week.