Most of the MNAs in the Parti Quebecois are in Quebec's National Assembly this week, but their hearts seem far away -- in Scotland.
“Any way you look at it the Scotland/British model is a template for what an adult, democratic country should do with this kind of issue,” said PQ MNA Jean-Francois Lisee.
The PQ likes Scotland's referendum question because it is clear and unlike in Canada, a vote of 50 per cent plus one will be accepted as a victory for separation.
In Lisee's view even a ‘no’ vote in Scotland is good for Quebec.
“If the Scots vote ‘no’ and London abides by its promise of devolution, it will also be an example that Canada doesn't work because there were promises in ‘80 and ‘95 of devolution if the ‘no’ won and the promises were not kept,” said Lisee.
PQ MNA Pierre-Karl Peladeau flew to Scotland Tuesday, joining three other PQ MNAs, including Martine Ouellet and Alexandre Cloutier.
For the Liberals, the referendum is simply politics – interesting but nothing special.
“This is why we are interested, but we follow the situation like we follow the situation in Africa for the disease of Ebola,” said Christine St-Pierre, minister of international relations.
St-Pierre won't say which side she hopes wins
“What we wish is the fact that Scotland, people in Scotland, go to vote. This is very important,” she said.
