Canada ‘not working’ says PQ leader in aftermath of Alberta referendum

“Canada, as it stands, is not working, and the status quo is no longer acceptable,” wrote newly elected leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon on Tuesday, following a multi-question referendum held in Alberta the previous day.

He welcomed the move, noting that it aligns with his own grievances and demands — particularly regarding immigration.

While 75 per cent of Albertans voted against holding a future referendum on independence, they voted in favor of their province gaining greater control and additional powers over immigration. They also supported entering into negotiations with other provinces to secure further powers from the federal government.

In a lengthy post on Facebook, St-Pierre Plamondon urged Mark Carney to “take note” of the fact that Albertans — much like Quebecers before them — are challenging “the Canadian constitutional order and the federal regime’s abuses of power within areas of provincial jurisdiction.”

He stated that “the new government of Quebec will ensure that this message is understood in Ottawa. It will be prepared to collaborate with the governments of other provinces that reach the same conclusion as Albertans and Quebecers: that change is necessary.”

Éric Duhaime

For his part, Éric Duhaime, leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ), argued that Quebecers must now align themselves with Albertans to establish “leverage” within the federation.

Speaking at a press conference in the foyer of the National Assembly, Duhaime argued that St-Pierre Plamondon should abandon his commitment to hold a referendum on sovereignty and instead form an alliance with Alberta to secure greater powers and concessions from the federal government.

While the PCQ leader acknowledged that it is for the people of Quebec alone to decide their own future, he posed a question: why, then, should they look to Albertans for guidance?

“For a very simple reason: to gain leverage,” Duhaime replied. He accused former Premier François Legault of having abandoned his autonomist stance, whereas Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, he noted, has taken a combative approach — successfully securing gains for her province.

“She challenged every federal law that encroached on her jurisdiction; she won in the courts, even before the Supreme Court. She managed to get her pipeline.”

However, the PCQ leader opposes the idea of ​​Quebec holding a multi-question referendum — as was done in Alberta — arguing that, in Quebec, these issues are already the subject of a “consensus.”

Charles Milliard

Charles Milliard, leader of the official Opposition Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ), welcomed the Albertan “no” vote regarding a referendum on independence — a result that aligns with the PLQ’s staunchly federalist position — and urged St-Pierre Plamondon to take note.

He remained silent, however, on the other questions concerning Alberta’s push for additional powers.

“Yesterday, Albertans had their say,” he wrote on social media. “An overwhelming majority does not want a referendum on sovereignty.” The results demonstrate a desire to unite and work toward building Canada, rather than dividing it. (…) At the Quebec Liberal Party, we firmly believe that the Canadian federation is the best option for the people of Quebec.”

Finally, Milliard urged St-Pierre Plamondon “to show foresight and to develop strong relationships with his counterparts in the other provinces.”

By early Tuesday afternoon, with the vote count still underway, more than 52 per cent of Albertans had voted “yes” to having judges appointed by provincial governments.

Similarly, more than 53 per cent voted “yes” to abolishing the Senate, and 51 per cent voted “yes” to protecting provincial jurisdictions against federal encroachment.

However, 50.8 per cent voted “no” to an “opting-out” mechanism, that is, the right to withdraw from a federal program while receiving full compensation.

Regarding immigration, more than 54 per cent of voters supported increased control over immigration; 57.8 per cent favoured restricting immigrants’ access to social assistance, and 55 per cent supported limiting their access to other provincially funded programs. Additionally, 57 per cent were in favor of charging fees to temporary residents for the use of healthcare and education systems.

Finally, more than 63 per cent voted “yes” to requiring proof of citizenship in order to vote in a provincial election.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews