Parti Quebecois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon faced criticism from his political opponents on Friday following the revelation that the projected cost of his proposed sovereignty referendum would be a minimum of $130 million. While three out of the five campaign leaders argued that there were more beneficial ways to allocate these funds, the sovereigntist left-wing party Quebec Solidaire supported the proposed expenditure.
During an interview with The Canadian Press, St-Pierre Plamondon provided a breakdown of the expenses associated with preparing for and conducting the referendum in either 2029 or 2030 if his party assumes power. The referendum budget encompasses $20 million earmarked for studies and consultations during the initial years of a Parti Quebecois government’s term. The estimated cost of holding the referendum in 2029-30 is $110 million, as indicated by the party leader, who also acknowledged the potential for exceeding this amount due to unforeseen costs.
St-Pierre Plamondon emphasized the importance of democratic consultation, stating, “People will have their say, but we won’t apologize for living in a democracy and for consulting the people if we’ve reached that point.” The specifics of his party’s referendum plan will be outlined in the financial framework set to be disclosed on September 15, coinciding with the inaugural party leaders’ debate of the provincial election campaign culminating on October 5.
Opposition leaders criticized St-Pierre Plamondon’s proposal, with Coalition Avenir Quebec leader Christine Frechette pointing out the absence of certain cost details beyond the referendum itself. She highlighted the need to consider the expenses associated with the initial year of a sovereign Quebec, which she claimed were omitted from the plan. Similarly, Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard condemned the proposed expenditure as a misallocation of funds, suggesting alternative uses for the allocated $130 million.
Conservative Leader Eric Duhaime also voiced disapproval of St-Pierre Plamondon’s initiative, characterizing it as inappropriate given the current high cost of living. He criticized the party’s strategy of spending during the initial three years to influence a “Yes” vote in the fourth year of the referendum, labeling the approach as out of touch with reality.
Despite the backlash, St-Pierre Plamondon reaffirmed his commitment to holding a referendum on Quebec sovereignty post the departure of U.S. President Donald Trump from office, regardless of his party’s electoral outcome. Defending his referendum budget, he drew parallels with the costs associated with general elections in the province, asserting that Quebec independence would result in long-term savings by eliminating federal duplications and inefficiencies.
Additionally, Quebec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal advocated for extensive consultations on Quebec sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of engaging various groups in the decision-making process. Ghazal disclosed her party’s allocation of $220 million for an assembly tasked with drafting a new Quebec constitution integral to the sovereignty referendum.
If elected premier on October 5, St-Pierre Plamondon disclosed plans to appoint a minister responsible for the independence process, replacing the current minister of Canadian relations. He assured that there were no immediate intentions to expand the size of the ministry, emphasizing the incorporation of intergovernmental relations with Ottawa into the independence project.
In response to queries about the referendum costs, St-Pierre Plamondon defended the transparency of his party’s budgeting decisions, asserting that it reflected a prudent fiscal approach. He noted that the financial framework to be presented would outline the budgetary outlook for Quebec within the existing context, without factoring in promises such as the establishment of a Quebec army post-independence.
Overall, St-Pierre Plamondon expressed confidence in the soundness of his party’s financial planning, stressing the necessity of consulting the public on crucial matters while aiming to address historical inefficiencies to benefit Quebec’s future economic outlook.