Parti Québécois (PQ) Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has good reason to fear that his party is being spied on by Ottawa, according to his political opponent, CAQ Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette.
In a press scrum at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Jolin-Barrette stated that “parliamentarians must always be vigilant.”
The day before, St-Pierre Plamondon had revealed that during PQ meetings, cell phones were placed in Faraday bags, used to protect them from spying, and removed from the room.
He accused Ottawa of having, in the past, taken “ethically and legally very questionable steps to monitor PQ elected officials.”
“So, we work with the understanding that it’s very possible that this is the case,” he said.
“Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon’s fears are not necessarily unfounded,” Jolin-Barrette responded on Wednesday, carefully choosing his words. “I think we must remain vigilant.
“History has shown that sometimes, when there are national issues at stake concerning Quebec’s future, the rules of the game are not respected by the federal government. This has been amply documented.
“So, Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon, regarding his option, regarding remaining vigilant, I think he has a good approach. Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon is legitimate in questioning and remaining vigilant about his option.”
Jolin-Barrette’s remarks contrast sharply with those of his colleague, Minister of Internal Security Ian Lafrenière, who said on Tuesday that he was “surprised” by the PQ leader’s allegations.
“I’m not saying it’s impossible. I highly doubt it,” argued Lafrenière. “I think their strategy is pretty transparent: they want a referendum.”
“PSPP says he’s ‘forced to assume’ that the federal government is spying on him and the PQ. The good news is, I’m sure it’s treatable,” posted federal MP Alexandre Boulerice, who hopes to run for Québec solidaire (QS), on social media.
Boulerice was making a “joke,” explained QS MNA Guillaume Cliche-Rivard at a press conference on Wednesday.
“To make jokes about mental health issues in 2026 is completely unacceptable and deplorable,” PQ MNA Pascal Paradis later exclaimed.
For his part, the leader of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ), Charles Milliard, remained restrained in his comments.
“I don’t have to laugh at Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon’s remarks,” he said. “If Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon feels he is being spied on… that’s his prerogative, he can do whatever checks he wants.”
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
