Sherbrooke, Quebec – A proposal by the Parti Québécois (PQ) to establish an independent quebec currency is igniting a renewed debate over the province’s sovereignty, drawing sharp criticism from the Liberal Party and highlighting deep-seated divisions regarding Quebec’s future within Canada. The proposal, formally part of the PQ’s “Blue Book” outlining its vision for a sovereign Quebec, comes as the party experiences a surge in popularity and considers holding a referendum during its frist term. This latest advancement occurs against a backdrop of declining support for the governing CAQ and a narrowing gap in polls between the PQ and the Liberals.
Sherbrooke, Quebec – A proposal by the Parti Québécois (PQ) to establish an independent Quebec currency has drawn swift criticism from the Liberal Party, signaling a potential flashpoint in the province’s ongoing debate over sovereignty. The debate underscores the deep divisions that remain regarding Quebec’s future within Canada.
Liberal Member of Parliament Frédéric Beauchemin urged the PQ to reconsider the proposal, dismissing it as unrealistic. “Just a moment. By separating from Canada, the PQ wants to sever Quebec from all of its current economic agreements, creating an unprecedented wave of economic instability and removing Quebec from NATO,” Beauchemin wrote Saturday on X, formerly known as Twitter. “They simultaneously tell us they want to ensure maximum stability. That’s like saying I’m going to cut your feet off and it won’t hurt.”
Beauchemin further argued that establishing a new currency would significantly diminish the purchasing power of Quebec residents. “Monetary policy isn’t a fairy tale. What you’re saying will translate into an incalculable decline in the purchasing power of Quebecers,” he added.
The PQ officially announced its support for creating a Quebec currency following independence, though the party acknowledged a transition period of at least ten years using the Canadian dollar would be necessary.
André Pratte, former president of the Quebec Liberal Party’s (PLQ) policy commission, accused the PQ of proposing “nothing less than a complete rupture of the economic union between Canada and Quebec.”
“To my knowledge, this is one of the first times a separation as total as this has been proposed so seriously since the sovereignty-association concept developed by René Lévesque,” Pratte also wrote on X.
Pratte anticipated criticism from the PQ, anticipating accusations of fearmongering. “Too bad: I’m starting to think that, in fact, even more than before, there are very good reasons to have serious concerns about the radical project carried by the PQ of 2025,” he stated.
PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon predicted Saturday that “the federalist clan” would condemn his proposal.
PHOTO THOMAS LABERGE, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE CANADIENNE
Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon (center), Saturday
“It is certain that the federalist discourse, and I give it to you a thousand times, will be to say that a Quebec currency will be terrible, and to launch a campaign of fear that is absolutely not based on facts,” he said at the time.
The PQ plans to establish an independent commission after Quebec achieves independence to make its own recommendations regarding currency. St-Pierre Plamondon assured that he would respect the commission’s decision, but believes the creation of a Quebec currency is “by far the most likely scenario.”
The PQ evaluated two other scenarios: maintaining the Canadian dollar or adopting the U.S. dollar.
The currency issue was the second component of the PQ’s “Blue Book,” which is being unveiled gradually. Last week, the party leader revealed the chapter concerning the international relations of a sovereign Quebec.
Further elements of the Blue Book will be presented in the coming weeks.
St-Pierre Plamondon insists he will hold a referendum during his first term, even though polls indicate a majority of Quebecers oppose independence.
A Potential PQ-PLQ Duel?
The PQ has been gaining momentum in the polls for nearly two years, with indicators suggesting it could potentially form a majority government if elections were held today. This rise in support signals a shift in the political landscape of Quebec.
The governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) of Premier François Legault is facing declining public support. The Qc125 poll aggregator indicates the CAQ could be virtually wiped off the electoral map if an election were held now.
A duel between the PQ and the Liberals appears increasingly likely. The latest Léger poll shows the gap between the PQ (32%) and the PLQ (27%) narrowing.
However, Liberal support among French-speaking voters remains low, at 17% compared to 40% for the PQ, according to the latest Léger poll.
The PQ strategically chose Sherbrooke as the location for its National Council, following a Pallas Data poll indicating the party could potentially win the Sherbrooke riding from Québec solidaire.
Christine Labrie, the Québec solidaire Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke – who was first elected in 2018 – has announced she will not seek re-election.
