Just before Alberta’s upcoming vote on an independence referendum, Quebec sovereigntists are distancing themselves from the separatists in the western province.
The referendum ballot on Monday includes Question 10, asking whether Alberta should stay in Canada or proceed with a legal process for a subsequent binding referendum on separation. Advance polls are open from Tuesday until Saturday.
Quebecers may find similarities to their 1980 referendum experience when René Lévesque’s Parti Québécois proposed negotiations to leave Confederation, a proposal rejected by nearly 60 per cent of Quebec voters.
During the 1980 referendum, about 60 per cent of Quebec voters opposed sovereignty while René Lévesque was premier. (Canadian Press)
Following the narrow victory for the “No” side in Quebec’s 1995 referendum, some ardent sovereigntists see significant differences between the two movements.
Distinction among Quebec sovereigntists
Marie-Anne Alepin, president of the Société St-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal, a prominent Quebec nationalist group, views Alberta’s separatism as a negotiation tactic with Ottawa rather than a genuine quest for independence.
Alepin noted, “They seek a stronger role within Canada while we aim to secede. Their focus is on oil and gas control, unlike our stance against pipelines.”
However, some leaders in Alberta’s separatist movement still find common ground with Quebec.
After Quebec’s recent election where the PQ, advocating for a third independence referendum, won a minority government, figures in Alberta’s separatist movement expressed support for premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, seeing him as a potential ally.
During a visit to Calgary last year, St-Pierre Plamondon expressed readiness to recognize an independent Alberta if separation is chosen. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)
Columnist Cory Morgan, a founding member of the Alberta Independence Party, sees potential for Alberta to follow Quebec’s lead by sending a message through the referendum.
Similarly, Alberta separatist Jeffrey Rath welcomed support from Quebec’s elected government, expressing optimism for cooperation.
The differences between Quebec and Alberta sovereigntist movements are evident to many, with former PQ leader Jean-François Lisée dismissing the Alberta referendum as futile.
Louise Harel, a former PQ minister, also emphasized the fundamental disparities between the two movements.
Public opinion was evenly divided on the eve of the 1995 Quebec referendum. (Ryan Remiorz/The
