Feminist group wants university conference cancelled over ‘hateful’ discourse, PQ MNA fires back

Alex Boissonneault, a Parti Québécois MNA answers questions from journalists at the National Assembly in Québec City on Wednesday Feb.11, 2026. (The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot)

Parti Québécois (PQ) MNA Alex Boissonneault is condemning what he calls a campaign of “ideological intimidation” by a feminist organization demanding the cancellation of a conference on the future of the Quebec nation at Université Laval, where he is scheduled to participate.

The group, “Féministes en mouvement de l’Université Laval,” accuses the panelists of promoting a “traditionalist,” “discriminatory,” and even “hateful” discourse.

“I deplore that there are people, often associated, let’s say, with a certain fringe of the left, and also often linked to Québec solidaire (QS)—even some of their spokespeople have relayed the message—who intimidate in this way to shut down debate,” Boissonneault said at a news conference Thursday at the National Assembly.

The PQ MNA was referring to Montmorency QS spokesperson Annie-Pierre Bélanger, who said she supports the feminist group’s initiative.

“If I were a student, I would go ‘trash’ the conference with a group of activists. I would organize a direct action like I have in the past,” she wrote on Facebook Tuesday.

The event, organized by the Parti Québécois committee at Université Laval, is scheduled for March 26.

In addition to Boissonneault, the other panelists include Benjamin Tremblay, host of the independent geopolitics media outlet 7 Jours sur Terre, and Étienne-Alexandre Beauregard, former speechwriter for Premier François Legault.

“Obviously, I find myself with panelists with whom I don’t agree on everything, on the contrary. One panelist wrote François Legault’s speeches, and another has made very harsh comments about my leader, but I’ll be happy to discuss,” Boissonneault added.

By email, Université Laval spokesperson Simon La Terreur said a “student association has the right to hold activities if they follow university rules, which ensure that all events take place in a safe environment for all participants.”

For its part, the Parti Québécois committee at Université Laval says it is “actively working to ensure the event runs smoothly.”

“Academic freedom and freedom of expression are essential values for healthy debate in our society. We do not condone discourse based on misinformation and a cancel culture approach by association,” said committee president Jaider Cabarcas in a written statement to The Canadian Press.

By Thomas Laberge

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 19, 2026.