Hundreds of residents of Montreal took to the streets on Saturday, expressing optimism about the prospect of Quebec gaining independence in the future. The march, which traversed the city’s downtown area, preceded the upcoming 30th anniversary of the 1995 referendum set for October 30.
Camille Goyette-Gingras, the president of OUI Québec, a key organizer of the event, noted a growing participation of young individuals in the movement towards independence. She highlighted the interest of Generation Z in seeking structural changes, viewing independence as a means to achieve that goal.
In the 1995 referendum, federalists narrowly secured victory with 50.58% of the votes. The Parti Québécois (PQ) had previously called for a referendum in 1980, where 40.44% voted in favor of independence. With the PQ leading in pre-election polls and eyeing a third referendum by 2030, hopes remain high within the party.
Goyette-Gingras emphasized the grassroots and bipartisan nature of the current movement, expressing confidence in the potential for another referendum in the near future. She highlighted that many young people view independence as a solution to urgent issues like the climate crisis.
At the march, a mix of young students and referendum veterans gathered, with politicians such as Manon Massé and Ruba Ghazal from Québec Solidaire also participating. The crowd echoed calls for “Le Québec un pays” (Quebec a country), symbolizing their aspirations for sovereignty.
Students from Cégep du Vieux Montréal, including Laure Fateux and Olivia Bégin, voiced strong support for Quebec’s independence, citing the importance of preserving the region’s culture and history. Leonard Vidal, another student, emphasized the need for independence to break free from what he described as a “colonial, petroleum state” imposed by the Canadian government.
Catherine Lamoureux-Schmidt, a student at L’Université du Québec à Montréal, echoed these sentiments, advocating for Quebec’s status as an independent nation. She and Vidal are part of a coalition of student groups across Quebec advocating for sovereignty, which has seen significant growth in a short period, now comprising 22 clubs.
Lamoureux-Schmidt emphasized the importance of a respectful relationship with First Nations in Quebec, highlighting the necessity of listening to their perspectives in the quest for independence. Like many others present, she anticipates a referendum vote in the near future to allow the population to voice their opinions on the matter.
Pablo Rodriguez, the leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, expressed reservations about the economic implications of an independent Quebec, cautioning about potential challenges such as economic instability, renegotiation of trade agreements, and exclusion from the G7 group of nations.
