It wouldn’t be wise to raise the issue of Quebec independence at the Francophonie Summit, warns Madeleine Féquière, the official opposition’s spokesperson on international Francophonie affairs. As the summit—held this year in Phnom Penh, Cambodia—is about to begin, the opposition parties have shared their expectations with The Canadian Press. According to the Liberals, Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon should focus on building partnerships “that open up markets for our small and medium-sized businesses, especially in Africa and Asia.” Defending Quebec culture and the French language in the digital age are also said to be priority issues, as is support for youth and the academic community. Féquière also expects St-Pierre Plamondon to present Quebec as “a consistent voice for peace, democracy, freedom of expression, and gender equality.” The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), which is organizing the event, represents 90 states and governments, accounting for 16.5 per cent of global GDP. Quebec, which has been a full member of the OIF since 1971, must take its rightful place and fully exercise its role within this organization, she says. However, she added, “It’s all well and good to say, ‘We’re going to build alliances,’ (...) but we also have to find a way to be accountable to the people of Quebec.” Above all, she said, “this is not the time to go around talking about Quebec independence, because (...) it creates confusion, it destabilizes Quebec, and it sends an ambiguous message.” “We don’t want to do that,” she said, inviting St-Pierre Plamondon to join forces with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, for example, during the vote to elect the OIF’s secretary general. “The goal is to develop business opportunities for our entrepreneurs. (...) I don’t think we should go there with the idea in mind that we want to stir up trouble,” she said. ‘Asserting its own vision’ On the contrary, if Quebec’s interests “do not align with those of Canada, (...) Quebec needs to assert its own vision on the international stage,” said Roxane Milot. The Quebec Solidaire (QS) spokesperson on international relations and the Francophonie believes it is “important for Quebec to maintain its own perspective.” Moreover, if St-Pierre Plamondon wants to discuss independence at the Francophonie Summit, so be it, said QS. “We expect a pro-independence party to take full advantage of what is permitted under the Gérin-Lajoie doctrine. As for what exactly he will say to achieve his objectives, I’ll leave that luxury to the Quebec delegation to decide,” said Milot. Furthermore, the Sainte-Marie–Saint-Jacques MNA pointed out that St-Pierre Plamondon “snubbed the Canada–European Union summit” held in late October in Montreal. “This is his first opportunity to redeem himself, play the role he’s meant to play on the international stage, and show us what added value he intends to seek internationally.” This is because the previous Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) government’s track record in this area is disappointing, said the QS MNA, who says she ardently hopes for a change in “tone.” “We criticized the CAQ’s diplomatic approach, which was very, very focused on Quebec’s economic interests,” she recalled. “We hope that the Parti Québécois will adopt a renewed diplomatic approach—(...) political, (...) cultural, and economic—that we would like to see focused on a green economy. We must resume our role as a peacekeeper, promoting democracy, transparency, ethics, and respect for human rights.” A costly mission? Meantime, the Quebec Conservative Party declined a request for an interview. In a written statement, the party’s finance spokesperson, Tarek Henoud, expressed concern about the cost of such a mission. “We expect the premier to be responsible and to exercise restraint in the use of public funds during this trip,” he wrote. “Participating in an international summit should not be an excuse to rack up unnecessary expenses. The premier must keep in mind that Quebecers are paying for this trip and that he has a duty to exercise restraint.” In 2022, former Premier François Legault and his delegation’s participation in the Francophonie Summit in Djerba, Tunisia, cost taxpayers $103,800. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 11, 2026.
