In backlash to the backlash, Bill 96 leads to flurry of talk on Quebec separatism
Quebec Premier François Legault may not have expected quite this type of fallout from Bill 96, but he found himself hammered by questions on Thursday -- about Quebec independence.
Legault is not in favour of a new Quebec referendum, he repeated several times.
"I don't think the solution is to hold a referendum on sovereignty," he said.
All morning during Question Period at the National Assembly, various opposition parties wanted to drill down into the idea, however, and into the premier's response to Ottawa this week.
"Against the federal government, the premier is powerless," said the Parti Quebecois's Joel Arseneau.
On Wednesday, the federal justice minister confirmed that the Liberal government will intervene when another controversial bill, Bill 21, reaches the Supreme Court.
Minister David Lametti also made clear that he's not a fan of Bill 96, both personally and as a minister and MP. He represents the riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said this week he has concerns about Bill 96, though he also spoken of the importance of supporting francophone communities across Canada.
The PQ weren't the only ones who doubled down on the independence debate in the wake of these comments.
"Me, I have a simpler solution," said Vincent Marissal of Quebec Solidaire.
"That's Quebec's independence."
Solidaire says it believes it's only a matter of time before Ottawa more formally sides against Bill 96 as well.
Legault publicly fired back at Trudeau on Wednesday, but on Thursday he told reporters he's not budging on separatism or a new referendum.
"There's no will for that," he said, adding that it looks like a majority of Quebecers would not vote 'yes' in any case right now.
One political analyst said he's not surprised.
"I don't think François Legault wants to open that can of worms," said David Heurtel.
Legault's CAQ party has pushed aside the separation debate before, he said, but that also doesn't mean it won't periodically come up.
"You could never, with 100 per cent certainty, exclude the possibility of a political environment where a referendum could be a political option. You can’t fully exclude it," he said.
But right now, politically speaking, Quebec is far from a new referendum, he said, despite the new high emotions stirred up by Bill 96.
Moreover, despite Legault's anger, the federal Liberals are popular overall in Quebec, Heurtel said. And Ottawa's response is also nothing to be shocked by.
"While Francois Legault's reaction is as expected to the federal announcement, the federal government has the right to intervene on these matters before the courts," he said.
One factor that can't be ignored: the Quebec election, only a few months away, in which Legault will seek an even stronger majority.
The CAQ convention will happen this weekend in Drummondville, meant to kick off election momentum, and the theme of the weekend is "pride."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.