The Next Separatist Crisis Isn't in Alberta. It's in Quebec | The Walrus

"A s a Quebecer living just on the other side of the river from the Ottawa Bubble, I know how little attention is generally paid to Quebec's provincial politics. Our language, history, and culture make Quebec notoriously hard to grasp for decision makers in the nation's capital. This is not a critique, simply a fact. And while concern about the separatist movement in Alberta has led to the federal government making some questionable policy choices (yes, memorandum of understanding, I'm looking at you),"

"The separatist PQ, relegated to their lowest ever number of seats in the 2022 election, has made a stunning comeback over the past few years. They won three out of four by-elections this term and are poised to form the next government if their lead continues in the polls. Now more than ever, I believe that anyone interested in federal policy making, and the Prime Minister's Office in particular, would do well to closely monitor the events happening in La Belle Province."

Quebec often receives limited attention from federal decision-makers because language, history, and culture make the province difficult for Ottawa to grasp. Federal focus on Alberta separatist sentiment produced reactive policy choices such as the memorandum of understanding. The Parti Québécois rebounded from its 2022 low by winning three of four by-elections and currently leads in polls, making it the most likely to form the next government. A PQ government has pledged a referendum in its first mandate, creating the highest referendum risk in thirty years. Leadership volatility and campaign dynamics leave outcomes uncertain, so close monitoring is prudent.

Read at The Walrus