Parti Québécois chief Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, touring Western Canada, began his visit with a conference at the University of Calgary.
His message to students during an exchange of ideas that took place Thursday morning was clear: he was focused on the self -determination of Quebec by democracy and on a possible alliance with Alberta in the face of a federal government deemed increasingly intrusive.
This visit marks a turning point in interprorvincial relations, offering a fresh look at the tensions that stir the Canadian Federation.
Self -determination, a question of survival
For the PQ chef, the future of Quebec is no longer in Canada. He hammered that the current system is irreformable
And that he does not respect the democratic choices of Quebecers.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon does not think there is a future for Quebec French-speaking culture if Quebec remains in Canada.
Photo: Radio-Canada / None
With only around 20 % of seats in the House of Commons, Quebec can never hope to form a Canadian government representing its aspirations, he says.
Mr. Plamondon then highlighted the three main arguments in favor of independence.
First: linguistic and cultural survival. He maintains that federal policies, particularly in the area of immigration, jeopardize French -speaking culture, a fragile ecosystem which represents only 2 % of the population in North America.
Then: the question of political and financial weight. He denounces what he describes as waste
and duplication
in Ottawa. According to him, Quebec sends nearly $ 90 billion annually to the federally without receiving an equivalent return.
For Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, equalization is part of a broader financial problem, linked to the duplication of services and the ineffectiveness of Ottawa. It should not obscure the fundamental desire for self -determination and respect for the democratic choices of Quebec.
Photo: Radio-Canada / None
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon considers that the discussion on equalization, although it is often at the center of the debates, is in fact obsolete
et not pertinent
As part of his vision for Quebec.
He claims that if Quebecers choose the Parti Québécois as a government, equalization should not be a source of financing for Quebec from Alberta.
Finally: the abuse of power of the central government. He recalled interference in provincial skills and the imposition of criteria for obtaining funds, without forgetting the scandals past, such as that of sponsorships and spying of PQ politicians.
Allies with distinct motivations
The professor of political science at the University of Alberta Frédéric Boily recognized a similarity in the Fight against the federal government
while emphasizing a fundamental difference between the two provinces.
While Quebec seeks to protect its linguistic and cultural identity, Alberta claims above all its economic sovereignty, especially on the management of its natural resources.
The question of Quebec sovereignism […] is based on the protection of Quebec culture, while here, it is especially on the economic sovereignty of Alberta to manage its natural resources.
Martha Hall Findlay, of the public policy of the University of Calgary, underlines a feeling of unity between the two provinces: a disrespect
perceived from Ottawa.
Although she describes herself as a alberta federalist,
She believes that federalists can be stronger afterwards or during transparent discussions, open
.
The PQ leader mentioned the independence movement
in Alberta as one of the reasons for his visit, alongside tensions sterile
Between the two provinces.
Towards a direct and respectful dialogue
With these points of convergence, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon proposed the creation of a conversation space
Direct between Quebec and Alberta, based on mutual respect for their democracies.
He favors a direct agreement between provinces rather than unilaterally undergoing federal decisions.
It is better to respect our differences of opinion and act each in our own way, rather than letting the federal government impose measures which will never satisfy everyone, because they are sometimes incompatible or conflicting.
This dialogue could even, according to Frédéric Boily, Provide a certain legitimacy to the Quebec project
By demonstrating that Quebec is not isolated in its dissatisfaction.
On the question of the pipelines, the head of the Parti Québécois said that he would prefer to hear the point of view of Alberta directly, saying that he prefers this direct discussion rather than seeing Ottawa Create a plan to justify your existence without consulting anyone
.
Asked about the fate of French -speaking communities outside Quebec, Mr. Plamondon reaffirmed that an independent Quebec would be united towards them, recognizing the injustices and the decline they have suffered.
With the information of Tiphanie Roquette, Emmanuel Prince-Thauvette and Anne Levasseur
