The leader of the Popular Party of Canada (PPC), Maxime Bernier, announces that he will put himself in the yes camp during a next referendum on independence “in Quebec or in Alberta”. His goal? “Save Canada.”
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In the PPC newsletter sent to supporters on Monday, Mr. Bernier villes what he calls “imperial federalism”, characterized by incessant encroachments on provincial skills such as health, education, daycares or the environment.
This former Minister of the Government of Stephen Harper recalls having voted yes to the 1995 referendum. “Not because I wanted to break Canada. But because I thought it was the only way to stop the incessant movement of centralization of power in Ottawa, “he said.
“It cannot continue. The NO camp ended up winning in 1995 and despite all the promises of Ottawa reforms, nothing has changed, “he continues, putting the fault as much on liberal governments as on the Harper government.
For these reasons, “we are ready to support the yes to break the grip of imperial federalism and pave the way for a last attempt to rebalance our federation,” said the PPC chief.
The newsletter refers to a detailed web page in which Maxime Bernier claims not to share the ultimate objective of “breaking the country”, but recognizes that the demands of sovereignty movements are “legitimate”.
Filming of the program “Le Monde à back”, hosted by Stéphan Bureau, live and in front of Public, at the TVA studios, in Montreal, Friday, February 24, 2023.
Photo TOMA ICZKOVITS
Rather, he wants to “save Canada before the parties of theestablishment do not destroy it completely ”.
“Given the constant trend towards greater centralization, the only way to make significant changes under the current government could be to take advantage of the constitutional crisis which would follow a majority vote in favor of secession in a provincial referendum.”
In the most recent federal elections, the leader of the People’s Party had made a press conference before the National Assembly to denounce this “imperial federalism”. He then defended the same thing as in his newsletter, a greater autonomy of the provinces, without going so far as to support referendum projects in Quebec and Alberta.
Founded in 2018, the PPC failed to have a candidate in the three federal elections that have taken place since. He only obtained 0.7 % of votes in the April 28 elections, which brought the liberals to power.
The Quebec Bloc did not want to comment on the new positioning of the PPC. A comment request was sent to the Parti Québécois.
