The Parti Québécois remains steadfast in its commitment to a referendum, despite Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent appeal for unity during his address in Quebec City. This bold stance comes as the party prepares for the upcoming provincial elections by outlining its ambitious plans, which prominently feature a pledge for a third independence referendum.
This weekend, members of the sovereigntist party will convene in St-Hyacinthe, a quaint city located east of Montreal, to deliberate on the party’s comprehensive “national project.” Central to this initiative is a clear and unequivocal promise to hold another referendum aimed at achieving Quebec's independence.
On Friday, PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is also set to introduce his latest vision for an independent Quebec, which will include concepts around Quebec citizenship. He has previously discussed ideas for establishing a unique currency for the province, further emphasizing their aspirations for self-governance.
The backdrop to this convention is significant; a rising movement for Alberta's independence poses an additional challenge to the notion of Canadian unity, while geopolitical tensions from the United States loom large. Recently, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remarked on the idea of a referendum in Alberta, suggesting that the province should have the option to become part of the United States.
In light of these developments, Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon has consistently maintained his goal of conducting a referendum by 2030, even in the face of fluctuating support for independence within Quebec and a globally uncertain environment. With both of the PQ's main competitors currently searching for new leadership, he is positioning the Parti Québécois as a viable alternative government-in-waiting.
During his address, the PQ leader took a pointed jab at Mr. Carney, who had referenced the historic Battle of the Plains of Abraham as a pivotal moment when Canadians began to favor cooperation over division. This 1759 conflict, which saw British forces prevail over the French, ultimately led to Quebec's surrender to British control.
In a social media statement, St-Pierre Plamondon accused Carney of misrepresenting history. He promised to counter Carney’s arguments thoroughly during the party’s convention on Sunday.
The party members will be voting on the “national project,” a detailed 42-page document that outlines the objectives and priorities of a potential PQ administration. The document asserts that the situation for Quebec within Canada has worsened since the last referendum, which took place in 1995, stating, "The country where the people of Quebec can fully thrive will be their own."
Additionally, the policies outlined in the document aim to enhance Quebec’s autonomy even before any potential vote on independence. The party is advocating for the "reindustrialization" of the economy by identifying products that could be manufactured locally instead of relying on imports. They are also proposing a "buy Quebec" policy to stimulate local business.
Moreover, the PQ has pledged to reduce immigration by imposing a moratorium on new economic immigrants. Instead, they propose selecting new permanent residents from among the temporary foreign workers and international students already residing in the province. The document also mentions promoting automation in industries facing labor shortages as a means to boost productivity.
Last week, Premier François Legault announced his resignation, initiating a leadership contest within the Coalition Avenir Québec. The Quebec Liberals are also seeking a new leader following the stepping down of former federal minister Pablo Rodriguez amid a controversy regarding campaign financing.
Despite having secured only three seats in the last election held in 2022, the PQ has maintained a lead in public opinion polls for over two years and has recently achieved victories in three by-elections. Earlier this week, St-Pierre Plamondon introduced the party’s first candidate for the forthcoming election scheduled for October.
