With the next election just a year away, a showdown is brewing between the Parti Québécois (PQ) and the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP), centered around the topic of sovereignty. Liberal leader Pablo Rodriguez is addressing the increasing support for independence among young people.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, Rodriguez criticized the PQ for portraying sovereignty as a cure-all. He emphasized that separating from Canada wouldn’t solve pressing issues like the housing shortage, home affordability for youths, or global challenges like climate change and inflation.
Rodriguez responded to a recent report in La Presse that revealed a growing sentiment for sovereignty among youth. A CROP poll showed that 56% of individuals aged 18-34 support Quebec sovereignty, although only 47% would vote Yes in a referendum, according to the survey of 1,000 respondents conducted in July and August.
To counter this rise in separatist sentiment, Rodriguez suggested that Quebecers need to reject the CAQ government. He criticized François Legault for perpetuating anti-Canada rhetoric, which he believes indirectly aids the PQ’s agenda.
While acknowledging the criticisms of the federal Liberal Party for centralized policies and inadequate action on immigration, Rodriguez refrained from directly blaming his former party for the uptick in separatism. He emphasized the importance of Quebec reclaiming a leadership role within Canada to address its challenges effectively.
During the interview, Rodriguez reiterated his proposal to double the tax credit for first-time homebuyers as a step towards appealing to young voters. He also promised a series of forthcoming measures to engage with and address the concerns of the youth demographic.
Rodriguez recently engaged with young activists from his party at the Youth Commission convention in Gatineau over the weekend.
