Pierre Karl Peladeau has left politics and the Parti Quebecois, but he is still supporting the push for an independent Quebec.
A year after promising to create a research group to study independence, his Research Institute On Self-Determination (IRAI) held its official launch in Montreal.
Peladeau was in attendance, making his first public appearance since resigning as PQ leader earlier this year., but other notable supporters of a separate Quebec attended the soirée included Quebec Solidaire MNA Amir Khadir and PQ leadership candidate Martine Ouellet.
The Institute's goal is to study all subjects related to the separation of Quebec and other territories, such as the independence movements in Catalonia and Scotland.
"It's a very noble initiative," said Peladeau.
Former PQ and Bloc Quebecois politician Daniel Turp is the chair of the Institute, and Genevieve Baril is the Executive Director.
"I am very comfortable with the idea that there is a research institute that is serving the sovereignist movement," said Turp, pointing out there are think tanks doing the same for Canadian federalism.
But despite being entirely funded by the former leader of the PQ, Turp says the centre will not be influenced by any one political party.
"As long as I am president of this institute it will be a very independent institute, from PKP, from all the political parties, I will receive no instructions from no one," said Turp.
Ouellet, who is the only PQ leadership candidate calling for a referendum on independence should the PQ form the next provincial government, thinks the Institute will help all independence movements.
"That will give the move for all of the mobilization and that's what we've seen in Scotland and in it's also what we've seen in 1994 and 1995," she said, referring to the 1995 referendum.
Quebec Solidaire's Khadir has always supported an inclusive independence movement that does not place francophone Quebecers in the forefront.
"We have to find ways to show people, to show those who aren't convinced, that the independence of Quebec can be done, can be realized with everybody," said Khadir.
Polls over the past two years show that only one-third of Quebecers support independence, with support greatest among baby boomers and lowest among millennials.
Turp said that is one issue the Institute will study.
"In Catalonia all of these people are for independence, in Scotland the young people are for independence. The young people are really behind the drive for independence," said Turp.
