By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Canadian Party of Quebec (CaPQ) held an event titled “Staying Canadian” in Stanstead on Nov. 24, drawing about 45 attendees in person and an additional seven online participants. The gathering featured a detailed discussion on language rights, constitutional changes, and preparations for a possible third referendum on Quebec’s sovereignty. The event concluded with attendees singing Canada’s national anthem, reflecting the meeting’s unifying theme.
The speakers, Liz Campbell, Colin Standish, and Keith Henderson, addressed concerns about maintaining Canadian identity in Quebec amid growing nationalist movements. Their speeches were followed by a question-and-answer session, during which the audience explored topics like partitioning Quebec, constitutional amendments, and political strategies for protecting rights.
Liz Campbell, CPQ president, opened with a passionate appeal to protect Canadian identity in Quebec. “Above all, I’m a proud Canadian. Are you?” she asked, met with resounding agreement from the audience. Campbell emphasized the importance of engaging with politics and defending linguistic and cultural rights. She criticized Quebec’s nationalist agenda, stating, “The CAQ and all four parties at the National Assembly, including the Liberals, have a nationalist agenda.”
Campbell outlined several financial and policy decisions by the provincial government, including what she described as cuts to essential services and preferential support for French-language initiatives. “They’re cutting on health and education, our two most important pillars of our society,” she said, urging attendees to challenge these measures.
Colin Standish, leader of the CPQ and founder of the Linguistic Task Force, delivered an analytical perspective on the legal and political implications of Quebec’s nationalist policies. He warned about constitutional changes introduced under Bill 96, calling them “detrimental” to the rule of law and Canada’s integrity as a nation.
“The Canadian Constitution is being amended willy-nilly by provincial legislation under the false aegis of provincial constitutions,” Standish stated, highlighting how Bill 96 unilaterally modifies Quebec’s legal status within the federation. He described the current situation as “the Balkanization of Canada,” a term used in his speech title.
Standish also discussed economic disparities facing English-speaking Quebecers and criticized Bill 96’s impact on civil liberties and professional opportunities. He proposed the creation of an Eastern Townships School of Public Policy at Bishop’s University as a way to cultivate future leaders equipped to address these challenges.
Keith Henderson, former leader of the Equality Party and CPQ board member, shared historical context and lessons from previous sovereignty referendums. “It’s déjà vu all over again,” he said, recounting the near victory of the Yes side in 1995 and the subsequent legal developments, including the Clarity Act.
Henderson detailed how the Clarity Act and the 1998 Supreme Court decision on secession established that Quebec’s borders are not fixed in the event of independence. “Partition is the law of Canada right now,” he explained, adding that Indigenous referenda before the 1995 vote demonstrated the legal and moral precedent for boundary changes. “The borders of Quebec would be on the table,” Henderson stated emphatically.
Audience questions delved into the issue of partitioning Quebec as a response to potential independence. Henderson explained that partition is not just a theoretical concept but a legally supported option under the Clarity Act. He cited the example of Indigenous communities holding their own referenda to express their desire to remain within Canada, calling it a model for others to follow.
“If the natives could have a referendum before a provincial referendum, we should be able to have a referendum also,” Henderson said. He argued that such a move would allow anglophone and other communities to decide their own political future in the event of a Yes vote.
Henderson referenced Switzerland’s handling of linguistic divisions, particularly the peaceful separation of the Jura canton from Berne in the 1970s, as a precedent for democratic and negotiated partitioning. He concluded, “We must not forget that partition is a legal and viable option for protecting our rights and our territorial integrity as Canadians.”
The Q&A session provided an opportunity for attendees to voice concerns and seek clarity on the speakers’ proposals. Standish responded to questions about Bill 96 and its implications for federal labour jurisdictions. He noted that the legislation improperly extends provincial oversight into areas like federal transportation and banking. “That’s not the way jurisdictions work,” he said.
Another attendee asked why federal leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have not taken a stronger stance against Quebec’s nationalist policies. Henderson suggested that political expediency plays a role, stating, “Getting re-elected seems to take precedence over defending basic rights and freedoms.”
When asked about potential alliances with other political parties, Standish acknowledged the difficulty of finding allies. “Provincially, I don’t see any friends in that regard,” he said, pointing to the Quebec Liberal Party’s support for certain nationalist policies.
The speakers emphasized the need for proactive engagement to prevent further erosion of Canadian identity in Quebec. Standish called on attendees to become more active in political and civil society, urging them to vote, volunteer, and hold politicians accountable.
Henderson stressed the importance of readiness for a potential third referendum, advocating for clear questions and democratic processes. “We are faced with this problem right now,” he said. “How do we get prepared for referendum three so that our rights and our territorial integrity as Canadians are protected?”
The event concluded with a unifying gesture as attendees joined together to sing Canada’s national anthem. The stirring rendition underscored the evening’s central theme: preserving a shared identity and future within a united Canada.
The Staying Canadian event served as a platform for discussion, reflection, and action, reminding participants of the stakes involved in the ongoing debate over Quebec’s place within Canada. As Standish put it, “Canada deserves much more than a whimper. Let it go out with a bang.”