Quebec sovereigntists see fundamental rift with Alberta separatists

Quebec sovereigntists have distanced themselves from Alberta separatists in the wake of the latter's upcoming independence referendum. Question 10 on Monday's ballot asks whether Alberta should remain within Canada or if the government should initiate legal proceedings for a subsequent, binding referendum on separation. Advance voting began on Tuesday and is set to conclude on Saturday.

Quebec voters may recall a similar question from 1980, when René Lévesque's Parti Québécois sought to negotiate the province's departure from Confederation. The proposal garnered nearly 60% opposition. A second referendum in 1995 narrowly defeated the "No" side.

Marie-Anne Alepin, president of the Société St-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal, contends that Alberta employs the prospect of separatism as leverage in negotiations with Ottawa. She views the referendum as an attempt to exert pressure rather than an earnest pursuit of nationhood. "They seek a greater role within Canada, and we wish to depart," she asserts. "They desire amplified control over their oil and gas; we have no interest in pipelines."

Despite these differences, some Alberta separatists have claimed affinity with Quebec's sovereignty movement. Quebec's election of the Parti Québécois, which has pledged a third independence referendum, led leaders in the Alberta separatist movement to rally behind the province's premier-designate, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, and declare him a potential ally.

Columnist Cory Morgan, a founding member of the Alberta Independence Party, remarked on social media, "Quebec rejected the status quo today. Alberta can do the same in two weeks by choosing to send a message with Option 2 on Question 10."

While many Quebec sovereigntists do not identify with Alberta separatists, they acknowledge a shared aspiration for autonomy. Former PQ leader Jean-François Lisée dismissed the referendum as largely futile, stating, "There's really nothing much to gain from watching the Alberta independence movement, except maybe negative lessons."

Louise Harel, a former PQ minister and interim leader, concurred, emphasizing that Quebec and Alberta's motives for separatism diverge. Quebec's movement is driven by the desire to safeguard its cultural and linguistic identity, whereas Alberta's separatists are motivated by economic interests and political libertarianism. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has consistently opposed secession, while PQ leaders openly advocate for sovereignty.

Harel highlighted that while Quebec's movement grapples with feelings of economic marginalization within Canada, this sentiment is not central to the movement. She also noted that Quebec's sovereigntist parties have traditionally been social-democratic, while Alberta's movement appears more aligned with conservatism. Daniel Turp, a Université de Montréal law professor and former representative for both the Bloc Québécois and the PQ, pointed out differences in the referendum process itself.

Quebec's independence referendums featured a single question on sovereignty, leading to extensive mobilization from both federalist and sovereigntist factions. Public support for independence varied between the two provinces, with Quebec polls showing a roughly even split on the eve of the 1995 referendum, and Alberta polls indicating less than 25% support for separation as of October 11.