Mulling a run for the Quebec Liberal management, the previous Montreal mayor had a pleasant encounter with PQ Chief Paul St-Pierre Plamondon however says he is involved about one other sovereignty referendum.
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QUEBEC — Denis Coderre says he’s desirous about a attainable return to politics as a result of he’s satisfied the specter of one other Quebec independence referendum is actual and he desires to be a part of the No aspect.
Including to the Captain Canada picture he desires to domesticate, Coderre had a short encounter with Parti Québécois Chief Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who wandered into Coderre’s information convention within the foyer of the legislature Wednesday.
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“Welcome to the Nationwide Meeting,” St-Pierre Plamondon instructed Coderre, noting that in 1980 — the yr of the primary referendum — the PQ chief was three years outdated.
“Be a part of us, you’ll make the information,” Coderre mentioned with out skipping a beat. “Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon, we don’t agree, however I discover you dignified and respectful.”
He couldn’t resist some mischief.
“Discuss to me about zero price,” Coderre mentioned, referring to the PQ’s current 12 months One funds for an unbiased Quebec, which concluded sovereignty is economically viable.
It was pleasant banter, and it created the type of media buzz the previous mayor and federal Liberal minister thrives on. Formally, Coderre continues to be mulling over whether or not he’ll run for the management of the Quebec Liberals, however he determined to drop in on MNAs for Valentine’s Day.
Having by no means been elected provincially, Coderre — who marketed his arrival days upfront — was handled as a customer to the legislature, which implies he was not given an official greeting when he took his seat within the Salon Bleu to look at each day query interval.
He was not invited to the each day Liberal caucus assembly, both.
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Speaking with reporters, Coderre made it clear that taking over the surging PQ whereas poking holes within the federalist-separatist Coalition Avenir Québec is a part of the plan. He mentioned the Liberals are the one actual federalist celebration in Quebec.
“Mr. (St-Pierre) Plamondon is for actual,” Coderre instructed reporters. “I imagine there’s an eventuality that’s coming (of a referendum) and we have to present that we imagine on this nation.
“It’s a matter of getting organized in case. I’m saying I’m not taking them with no consideration. I’m a federalist. I imagine in Canada. I don’t want a brand new nation — I’ve one.
“Is it good? No. Do we have to enhance it? Sure. I’ve performed this all my life. Because the son of a carpenter, I do know there’s no purpose to tear down the home simply because the roof is leaking.”
Coderre had alternative phrases for the CAQ, too, focusing on Training Minister Bernard Drainville, a former PQ cupboard minister who jumped aboard Premier François Legault’s crew.
“I’m anxious to listen to Bernard Drainville say he desires to guard Quebec in Canada,” Coderre mentioned.
He mentioned he’s considering of working for Liberal chief as a result of the PQ is rising within the polls, and Quebecers have to be conscious they may face one other referendum, as was the case in 1980 and 1995. Each resulted in votes towards independence.
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“It’s not me who desires a 3rd referendum,” Coderre mentioned. “I do know the PQ mentioned this morning I’m scaring individuals, nevertheless it’s not me speaking about one other referendum. It’s not me who compares Quebec to Slovakia (after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia).
“It’s clear the subsequent election shall be cut up alongside federalist-separatist strains. And the Liberals are the one federalist celebration in Quebec.”
Coderre then introduced he’s launching a “Non merci” motion, a reference to the No aspect’s marketing campaign slogan of 1980.
Different politicians noticed Coderre coming from a great distance off.
Despatched out to satisfy reporters, Jean-François Roberge, the CAQ minister answerable for Canadian relations and a former PQ member, mocked St-Pierre Plamondon and Coderre, saying they each wish to revive the independence/federalism divide for their very own political functions.
It’s a debate that the CAQ shelved way back, he mentioned.
“It’s a contest between them to see who will say the phrase ‘referendum’ extra typically,” Roberge mentioned. “Even when Denis Coderre and St-Pierre Plamondon have change into greatest buddies, every needing the opposite, we all know there gained’t be a referendum.
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“That’s not what Quebecers need. We’re not right here to divide Quebecers into two camps. We’re right here to unite.”
CAQ cupboard ministers dodged Coderre’s problem to say whether or not they can be within the Sure or No camp.
“I went to the CAQ as a result of I assumed we had had sufficient of that period,” Drainville responded.
“Personally, I believe there gained’t be a referendum,” added CAQ Atmosphere Minister Benoit Charette, one other former PQ member.
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At his personal information convention earlier within the day, St-Pierre Plamondon zeroed in on Coderre, saying he has an excellent probability of turning into the Liberal chief, which might make him co-president of the No aspect in a referendum together with Legault.
If the PQ kinds the subsequent authorities in 2026, it guarantees a sovereignty referendum in its first mandate.
St-Pierre Plamondon mentioned Coderre’s messaging — speaking a few “separatist menace,” as he did in Le Journal de Montréal Wednesday – appears dated.
“He’s returning with the worry arguments (of the previous),” St-Pierre Plamondon mentioned. “I’m shocked to see the federalist perspective frozen within the Eighties.”
The PQ chief additionally puzzled what CAQ MNAs would do within the occasion of a referendum, as a result of “their complete doctrine has been to by no means reply these questions.”
Coderre, 60, repeated that he’ll announce his determination a few Liberal management bid after finishing the 300-km Camino Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage in Spain in Could. He has recovered from a gentle stroke that sidelined him in April 2023, which meant he needed to relearn find out how to stroll and converse.
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