By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Canadian Party of Quebec (CaPQ) held a regional event titled “Staying Canadian” on Oct. 19 at the CNCB Velodrome in Bromont. The event, attended by approximately 25 people, was part of the party’s ongoing efforts to engage with residents of the Eastern Townships. Colin Standish, CaPQ co-leader, spoke on critical political issues and outlined his vision for Quebec’s future within Canada during an interview conducted shortly after the event.

Standish emphasized the growing political tensions in Quebec, particularly concerning recent provincial legislation. “Bill 21, Bill 40, and Bill 96 really restructure our society and country in illegitimate ways,” he stated, criticizing both the provincial and federal governments for their roles. Standish argued that the federal government has not only stood by but actively “assisted the province of Quebec in dismantling the Canadian Constitution and the Charter.”

Standish highlighted the potential for further constitutional crises, noting that these laws are likely to be contested in the Supreme Court in the coming years. He expressed concern about a possible Parti Québécois (PQ) government and a federal Conservative government lacking strong Quebec representation. “We’re heading into very dangerous waters,” he warned, stressing that these forces could lead to renewed debates on Quebec’s sovereignty.

The event in Bromont featured various speakers, including Standish’s co-leader Myrtis Fossey and former Equality Party leader Keith Henderson. They discussed the possibility of an 11th province if Quebec’s sovereignty movement gains traction. Standish explained that, similar to past referendums, communities within Quebec might vote to remain part of Canada. “There’s a legal, legitimate, constitutional way to actually have these debates,” he said, advocating for a federal referendum to determine which areas of Quebec would choose to stay Canadian.

Addressing the Quebec Liberal Party’s (QLP) approach, Standish criticized the party for its support of Bill 96 and its failure to defend the interests of anglophone Quebecers. “If you believe in federalism, human rights, and language rights, voting for the Quebec Liberal Party is incompatible with this,” he asserted. He pointed out that historically, the QLP has supported measures that undermine bilingualism and federalism, including the Charlottetown Accord and the introduction of restrictive language laws.

Standish also expressed concern about the federal Liberal Party’s neglect of anglophone communities in Quebec, particularly in the Eastern Townships. He suggested that federal parties focus on swing seats in rural and suburban areas of Quebec, neglecting the interests of English-speaking Quebecers. “Quebec English-speaking votes are often taken for granted,” he said, urging anglophones to hold their representatives accountable and to be strategic with their votes to secure better policy outcomes.

Reflecting on the current political landscape, Standish commented on the entry of federal Liberal politician Pablo Rodriguez into the QLP leadership race, arguing that it signaled a doubling down on nationalist politics. “Rodriguez has defended the incorporation of Bill 96 into our official languages act,” he said, indicating that such moves are inconsistent with the interests of English-speaking Quebecers.

Standish’s comments underscore the CaPQ’s push to create a competitive political framework for Quebec’s anglophone communities. He pointed out that the formation of the CaPQ was a direct response to the QLP’s perceived failures, and that the party aims to build momentum leading up to the 2026 provincial election. “We were founded three and a half months before the 2022 election, and we came seventh out of 27 parties,” he said. “We have time to build it up and are looking to put a framework for success in the next election.”

The CaPQ’s Bromont event was a continuation of its efforts to mobilize anglophones in Quebec and to present alternatives to nationalist policies. For those interested in supporting the CaPQ’s initiatives, Standish encourages engagement through the party’s website, where people can join events and sign up for newsletters. The party is also actively seeking candidates for the 2026 provincial election, with plans for continued outreach throughout the province.