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Independence takes centre stage at Québec solidaire congress

Saturday morning’s main topics included how to transition toward separation and whether Quebec should create its own army in the event of separation.

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With an agenda heavy on independence and transitioning toward a green economy, Québec solidaire welcomed roughly 600 members to its 15th annual policy convention over the weekend to debate party priorities.

Under the heading “Taking power, transforming the province,” the meeting at CEGEP Édouard Montpetit in Longueuil included sessions on how a transition to separation would work and whether Quebec should create its own army once it becomes a country.

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If voted into power in 2022, party co-spokesman Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois said the party would immediately open a constituent assembly to create a new constitution for an independent Quebec that would be subject to a popular referendum. Even prior to independence, the party would seek greater powers, including diverting taxes paid to the federal government directly into Quebec coffers.

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Asked whether the party risked alienating federalists, Nadeau-Dubois said it will attempt to convert non-separatists with rational arguments.

“Come, debate, and we will convince you that at Québec solidaire, our vision for a new society is the best one, the most clear, it’s the one that can transform Quebec.” He noted, however, that he had not encountered any federalists within the party to date.

Separation is the only option that will give Quebec the tools it needs to transition away from Canada’s oil-based economy, co-spokesperson Manon Massé said. The party is open to members of all political orientations, Massé said, but they must be aware that “if you vote for Québec solidaire, you vote for a party that will push for independence in its first mandate.”

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Asked whether the party would allow indigenous groups to opt out of separation, or to declare unilateral separation from Quebec, Nadeau-Dubois said “not necessarily — we want to build an alliance with the First Nations.”

Contrary to other parties, Québec solidaire and its 10 MNAs have a vision of Quebec identity “that is inclusive of everyone,” said MNA Sol Zanetti, whose hard sovereignist Option nationale party merged with Québec solidaire in 2018.

The party pledged to make large-scale polluters and the rich pay for its transition to a greener economy.

“Suncor, Énergir (Gaz Metro), Valero, McInnis Cement, to name a few, will have to take out their chequebooks to pay for their greenhouse gas emissions,” MNA Ruba Ghazal said. “The free passes of the CAQ government will be finished. Québec solidaire will apply the principle of polluter pays.”

The party still has to work out the details of how it would tax the rich without affecting the poor, party officials said. And it has not yet decided whether it is for or against the cap-and-trade system used to restrict Quebec’s carbon emissions since 2013.

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Massé said Sunday the carbon trading market is letting big polluters, like the McInnis cement plant in Gaspésie, make money. Premier François Legault will visit California, whose system is linked to Quebec’s, from Dec. 8-11 to discuss the issue with Governor Gawin Newsom.

In their closing speeches to members on Sunday after being re-elected as party spokespeople, Massé described a vision of a more diverse Quebec, while Nadeau-Dubois called Legault a conservative like former prime minister Stephen Harper.

Nadeau-Dubois promised to “unmask the CAQ agenda” and expose Legault as a conservative who has “contempt for the youth,” is addicted to oil, gags democratic institutions and rejects science.

“Can’t find a single expert who supports the third link (between Quebec City and Lévis)? No problem, we’ll bring out the green paint,” Nadeau-Dubois said. “Forty economists are opposed to GNL Québec (a liquefied natural gas project)? No problem, the Alberta oil types say it’s a project of the future, even if the profits disappear into a tax haven!”

Massé had a more optimistic tone, saying the party brings together “people who come from everywhere, who don’t fear difference and don’t see themselves in the old style of politics.”

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She also told the story of a 17-year-old who said she dreams of a day when we don’t have to worry about climate change.

“Me too, I hope we can move on to something else,” Massé said. “I look forward to the girl behind the counter at Couche-Tard and the guy on the floor at Aldo can make a living like they deserve.”

MNA Catherine Dorion, who dominated headlines last week after she was barred from the National Assembly for wearing a hooded sweatshirt, did not attend the conference. Party leaders said she was supporting Olivier Bolduc, the party’s candidate in a byelection in the Quebec City riding of Jean-Talon. She addressed party members through a video presentation Friday evening. Bolduc, however, joined Nadeau-Dubois for his speech on Sunday.

Presse Canadienne contributed to this report.

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rbruemmer@postmedia.com

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