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Parizeau, Jacques

Parti Quebecois Refuses to Say How it Would Govern the Province if it Loses a Sovereignty Referendum

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Parti Quebecois is refusing to say how it would govern the province if it loses a referendum on sovereignty, sparking debate about the party's intentions and the possibility of a second referendum. PQ Leader Jacques Parizeau has been evasive on the issue, saying that the law is the law and that he has every intention of winning the referendum. However, his words may be seen as a sign of desperation, as the party's campaign is gaining momentum despite Quebeckers' opposition to sovereignty.

Key Takeaways:

  • PQ Leader Jacques Parizeau refuses to say how the party would govern the province if it loses a sovereignty referendum.
  • Parizeau says the law is the law and that he has every intention of winning the referendum.
  • PQ candidate Richard Le Hir suggests that a second referendum could be held almost immediately if Quebeckers reject sovereignty in a referendum promised for next year.
  • Le Hir argues that the situation would be no different than what took place in Newfoundland in 1949, where pro-Confederation forces held a second vote after losing the first.
  • Quebec's referendum law does not allow a government to hold a second referendum on the same subject within the same term of office.
  • A second referendum would have to be held after another election, unless the law is amended.
  • PQ Leader Jacques Parizeau leaves unclear how he would govern or if he would remain as premier if a PQ government lost a referendum on sovereignty.
  • Parizeau has at times in his political career been more straightforward on the issue, saying that if he lost a referendum on sovereignty, he would retire and let someone else take up the cause.

Statistics:

  • 30 years: the length of time the sovereignty question has been with Quebecers
  • 1977: the year in which Jacques Parizeau gave a lecture at Edinburgh University in which he advocated for the possibility of a second referendum if the first was rejected
  • 1980: the year in which a referendum on sovereignty-association was held in Quebec
  • 1992: the year in which Parizeau was interviewed by Time magazine and said that he would retire if he lost a referendum on sovereignty
  • 1949: the year in which pro-Confederation forces held a second vote in Newfoundland after losing the first

Sources:

  • Time magazine, April 1992 (Parizeau interview)
  • Lecture at Edinburgh University, December 1977 (Parizeau speech)
  • The National Post (Richard Le Hir quote)
  • The Gazette (Parizeau quote)

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