PSPP at the OIF: Opposition divided on the need to discuss independence

It would be unwise to talk about Quebec independence at the Francophonie Summit, warns Madeleine Féquière, the official opposition spokesperson for international Francophonie.

On the eve of the start of the summit, which is being held this year in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, opposition parties shared their expectations with The Canadian Press.

According to the Liberals, Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon will have to focus on building partnerships “that open up markets for our SMEs, especially in Africa and Asia.”

Defending Quebec culture and French in the digital age would also be priority issues, as would supporting youth and the knowledge community.

Féquière also expects St-Pierre Plamondon to present Quebec as “a coherent voice for peace, democracy, freedom of expression and gender equality”.

She points out that the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF), which oversees the event, represents 90 states and governments, or 16.5 per cent of global GDP.

Quebec, which has been a full member of the OIF since 1971, must take its rightful place and fully exercise its role in this body, she said.

However, “it’s all well and good to say: ‘we’re going to build alliances’, (…) but we also need to find a way to be accountable to the people of Quebec,” she emphasizes in an interview.

And above all, this is “not the time to go and start talking about Quebec independence, because (…) it creates confusion, it destabilizes Quebec and it sends an ambiguous message.” 

“We don’t want to do that!” she exclaimed on the phone, inviting St-Pierre Plamondon to ally himself with the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, for example during the vote to elect the Secretary General of the OIF.

“The goal is to develop business opportunities for our entrepreneurs. (…) I don’t think we should go there with the idea of ​​creating conflict.”

“To assert one’s own vision”

On the contrary, if Quebec’s interests “do not indulge in being like those of Canada, (…) Quebec has a need to assert its own vision internationally,” replies Roxane Milot.

The spokesperson for Québec solidaire (QS) on international relations and the Francophonie believes that it is “important that Quebec maintains its vision of things”.

Moreover, if St-Pierre Plamondon wants to talk about independence at the Francophonie Summit, so be it, according to QS.

“We expect an independentist party to take full advantage of what is permitted under the Gérin-Lajoie doctrine. As for what it will say specifically to achieve its objectives, I will leave that to the Quebec delegation to decide,” said Milot.

Furthermore, the MNA for Sainte-Marie—Saint-Jacques points out that St-Pierre Plamondon “snubbed the Canada-European Union summit” which was held at the end of October in Montreal.

“This is the first opportunity to recover and play the role he must play internationally, and to demonstrate to us what added value he will bring internationally.”

Because the record of the previous Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government in this area is disappointing, according to the Québec solidaire MNA, who says she ardently desires a change of “tone”.

“We criticized the CAQ’s diplomatic approach, which was very, very focused on Quebec’s economic interests,” she recalled.

“We hope that the Parti Québécois will have a renewed diplomacy, (…) political, (…) cultural and economic that we would like to be focused on a green economy.

“We must resume a role as guardians of peace, promoting democracy, transparency, ethics and respect for human rights,” she adds.

A costly mission?

For its part, the Conservative Party of Quebec refused the interview request that had been sent to it by The Canadian Press.

In a written statement, the party’s finance spokesman, Tarek Henoud, expressed concern about the cost of such a mission.

“We expect the Premier to be responsible and rigorous in the use of public funds during this trip,” he wrote. 

“Participation in an international summit should not be a pretext for multiplying unnecessary expenses. 

“The premier must keep in mind that it is Quebecers who are paying for this trip and that he has a duty to show restraint,” he added. 

In 2022, the participation of former Premier François Legault and his delegation in the Francophonie Summit in Djerba, Tunisia, cost taxpayers $103,800.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews