Bloc Québécois Leader Blanchet Demands Senior Care and Dairy Enactments for Fall House Support

MONTREAL, QC — Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet addressed media in Montreal Thursday morning, laying down strict legislative conditions for the minority government to secure Bloc support on confidence votes when Parliament resumes in September.

Legislative Conditions and Pension Enhancements

Leader Blanchet reaffirmed that the Bloc caucus will demand immediate passage of private member’s Bill C-319, which increases Old Age Security (OAS) monthly payouts by 10 percent for seniors aged 65 to 74, ending the statutory tier system created in 2022. The Bloc is also demanding immediate royal assent for Bill C-282, which prohibits federal trade negotiators from making concessions on supply-managed dairy, egg, and poultry sectors in future international agreements.

Blanchet stated that if the government fails to implement royal recommendation for the senior pension expansion before October 29, the Bloc will actively support non-confidence motions.

Parliamentary Arithmetic and Government Strategy

In the current minority House of Commons, the governing Liberals require support from at least one major opposition party to pass budget measures and maintain confidence. Political strategists noted that Blanchet’s ultimatum increases pressure on federal finance officials during ongoing pre-budget consultations.

Senior advocacy organizations commended the pension push, while fiscal think-tanks noted the measure would add approximately $3.2 billion in annual statutory federal expenditures.

Fall Caucus Meetings Scheduled

The Bloc Québécois caucus will convene for its pre-sessional planning retreat in Drummondville on September 9–10, 2026.