Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon faced criticism from his political opponents on Friday over the disclosed budget of at least $130 million for a potential sovereignty referendum. While three out of the five campaign leaders argued that the allocated funds could be better utilized elsewhere, the left-wing sovereigntist party Québec Solidaire supported the proposed expenditure.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, St-Pierre Plamondon outlined the expenses associated with preparing for and conducting the referendum in 2029 or 2030 if his party assumes power. The budget includes $20 million for initial studies and consultations during the early years of a Parti Québécois government mandate, with an additional $110 million estimated for holding the referendum in 2029-30, according to the party leader. St-Pierre Plamondon acknowledged that unforeseen costs could potentially surpass this amount.
Despite the criticism, St-Pierre Plamondon defended the necessity of consulting the public in a democracy and emphasized that his party’s referendum budget details would be disclosed in the financial framework set to be released on September 15, coinciding with the first party leaders’ debate ahead of the October 5 provincial elections.
Opponents of the plan, including Coalition Avenir Québec leader Christine Fréchette and Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard, condemned the proposed spending as wasteful and suggested alternative beneficial uses for the allocated funds. Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime also criticized the plan, labeling it unacceptable given the current high cost of living.
St-Pierre Plamondon reiterated his commitment to holding a sovereignty referendum post-Donald Trump’s presidency, regardless of his party’s electoral outcome. He contended that the independence process would ultimately lead to long-term savings by eliminating federal duplication and inefficiencies, which he estimated to cost Quebec billions of dollars.
Additionally, Quèbec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal emphasized the importance of extensive consultations on Quebec sovereignty, advocating for inclusivity in the decision-making process. St-Pierre Plamondon also announced plans to appoint a minister responsible for the independence process if elected premier, underscoring the party’s vision for Quebec’s future.