The Quebec independence movement has been part of the Canadian political landscape since the 1960s, notably with the founding of the Parti Québécois (PQ). The movement was particularly strong from the 1970s to the 1990s, with the holding of two referendums on Quebec independence under PQ governments. While sovereigntists were defeated on both occasions, the results of the 1995 referendum were particularly tight with 49.42% of Quebec voters who voted in favor of separation from Canada. Since then, however, the movement has been on the decline. In 2018, the PQ obtained only  17% of the popular vote and won 10 seats out of 125 in the Quebec National Assembly.  Polls across the province over the past two decades have shown voters are moving away  from this issue, especially among young people. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, PQ leader since October 2020, hopes to turn the tide. The 44- years-old leader intends to revitalize the Quebec independence movement in the years to come.  In this podcast episode, we discuss the topics of Quebec independence and the 2021  Canadian federal election.

Presented by: Samuel Lavoie & Sergei Oudman

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