PQ leader unapologetic about comments made regarding Canada
Parti Québécois (PQ) Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon isn't shying away from criticism that comments he made referencing Canada's colonial past were an inappropriate way to push his party's sovereignty agenda.
"We need to be considering the whole history of Canada in interpreting what's happening," he told CJAD 800's Aaron Rand.
This comes just days after St-Pierre Plamondon assured that Quebecers "will definitely be living through a third referendum" on sovereignty before the end of the decade if his party is elected.
His reasoning: the federal government poses an "existential threat" to Quebecers.
"What will become of us as Quebecers if we don't even have a fifth of the votes in a government that decides for us? We're finished. Canada has a bleak future in store for us," he told party members at a two-day national council on housing. "It's a regime that only wants to crush those who refuse to assimilate."
In speaking with Rand on Wednesday about backlash to his comments, St-Pierre Plamondon pointed out, "I'm not always soft-spoken but I always try to be as thoughtful as possible."
Nevertheless, he doubled down on his argument, saying the federal government was "disrespecting" the provinces when it comes to issues like immigration.
"That doesn't give us any hopes of integration, and housing, and of providing services for these people under the federal power of immigration," he said.
Plamondon stated that there are currently 560,000 temporary immigrants in Quebec, and if the federal government continues on this path, "there is no viable future for Quebec."
LISTEN ON CJAD 800 RADIO: PQ leader accuses Canada of 'disrespecting the competencies of provinces'
He also refused to apologize for referencing Canada's history, saying the country shouldn't shy away from its past.
"Talking about history is not being radical even though the [Quebec Liberal Party] PLQ or Éric Duhaime tries to distort what I said to make me a radical politician," he said. "I don't think people will buy that because I've been constant for the past years, and talking about history shouldn't be radical in my view."
He points out that his criticisms aren't specifically aimed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or his Liberal Party but at the federal government in general.
"He's continuing the mission of his father. He has the exact same approach toward Quebec, and that's fair to do," St-Pierre Plamondon said. "If we live in a world where the past never happened, it's difficult to have an appropriate reading of what's actually happening right now if we have no notion of what happened before."
He says his beliefs will not change no matter who is in power.
The next federal election is slated to take place on or before Oct. 20, 2025.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.