Quebec's two main sovereignist parties have voiced serious concerns, suggesting the federal government in Ottawa might attempt to "cheat" in the event of a third referendum on Quebec independence. The statements came in reaction to a report revealing that senior federal officials have begun preparatory discussions for a possible future vote.
Sovereignist Parties React to Federal Preparations
On Thursday, December 4, 2025, Parti Québécois (PQ) MNA Alex Boissoneault stated bluntly to reporters, "We have a lot of reasons to believe that the federal government will cheat in this consultation." His comments were echoed by Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Sol Zanetti, who referenced the contentious 1995 referendum, alleging it was "rigged by Ottawa."
The political reaction was triggered by a Radio-Canada report indicating that officials, including those within Mark Carney's office, have held talks in recent months to formulate a response to a potential sovereignty vote. The Parti Québécois, which currently holds a significant lead in provincial polls, has pledged to hold a referendum on independence during its first mandate if elected.
Historical Allegations and Current Accusations
The fears expressed by the sovereignist camp are rooted in historical events. Zanetti pointed to long-standing allegations that during the 1995 referendum, the federal government broke election rules by illegally funnelling money into the 'No' campaign. Further reports, including a November story in the Journal de Montréal, cited former prime minister Jean Chrétien instructing his immigration minister to accelerate citizenship processing ahead of the 1995 vote, a move perceived as an attempt to sway the electorate against independence.
"Referendums on Quebec's independence should involve only Quebecers," Zanetti asserted. "Ottawa should not do as they did last time."
Boissoneault also accused federal representatives of engaging in "fear mongering," specifically pointing to recent comments from Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly. In November, Joly accused PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon of "wanting to hand Quebec over to Donald Trump." Boissoneault criticized such rhetoric as detrimental to a "sane debate" on Quebec's future.
The Federalist Response and Political Landscape
When asked about the concerns raised by the PQ and Québec Solidaire, Liberal MNA André Albert Morin offered a contrasting perspective. He stated he expects Ottawa to "do what it has to do in respecting the law" and called it "just normal" for the federal government to react to the PQ's referendum promise.
"We're a federalist party. We believe in Canada, so we're going to work obviously to argue to Quebecers the importance of staying in Canada," Morin said, confirming that the Quebec Liberals would be ready to campaign for the 'No' side.
Despite the heated political discourse, public opinion on sovereignty remains a significant hurdle for the independence movement. A recent poll indicates support for independence stands at approximately 37 per cent, suggesting a majority of Quebecers continue to oppose separation from Canada. However, the PQ's strong polling numbers and their firm commitment to a referendum ensure the constitutional question will remain at the forefront of Quebec politics.
