Hundreds of Montreal residents took to the streets on Saturday, expressing optimism about the prospect of Quebec gaining independence. The march, which wound through downtown Montreal, preceded the upcoming 30th anniversary of the 1995 referendum set for October 30.
Camille Goyette-Gingras, the president of OUI Québec, an organization involved in organizing the rally, noted the increasing participation of young people in the independence movement. She emphasized that for the younger generation, independence signifies a pathway to systemic change.
In the 1995 referendum, federalists narrowly clinched victory with 50.58% of the vote. A prior referendum in 1980 saw 40.44% in favor of independence. With the Parti Québécois currently leading in polls and eyeing a third referendum by 2030, hopes remain high within the party.
Goyette-Gingras highlighted the grassroots and bipartisan nature of the current movement, expressing confidence in the potential for a new referendum in the coming years. Many young individuals view independence as a solution to critical issues like the climate crisis.
During the march, young students from colleges and universities joined forces with participants from past referendums. Politicians from Québec Solidaire, a party supporting independence, including MNAs Manon Massé and Ruba Ghazal, rallied alongside the crowd, chanting “Le Québec un pays” (Quebec a country).
At Cégep du Vieux Montréal, students Laure Fateux and Olivia Bégin revealed a strong sovereigntist sentiment among their peers. They emphasized the importance of Quebec preserving its culture, language, and history through independence.
Leonard Vidal, also a student at the college, advocated for independence as a means for Quebec to break free from what he described as the Canadian government’s colonial control. Catherine Lamoureux-Schmidt, a student at L’Université du Québec à Montréal, echoed this sentiment, stating that independence is the key to escaping the status quo.
Both students are part of a province-wide coalition of student groups advocating for Quebec’s sovereignty, which has seen significant growth in a short period. They stressed the non-partisan nature of the coalition.
Lamoureux-Schmidt emphasized the importance of establishing a “nation-to-nation” relationship with First Nations in Quebec as part of the independence process. Like many others present, she anticipates a referendum vote in her lifetime to address the aspirations of the population.
Quebec Liberal Party Leader Pablo Rodriguez, speaking from the party’s assembly in Trois-Rivières, acknowledged the viability of an independent Quebec but warned of potential economic challenges. He cautioned that an independent Quebec might face economic constraints, exclusion from the G7, and the need to renegotiate trade agreements.
