PQ’s fears of Ottawa spying are legitimate, says Jolin-Barrette

Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon at the legislature in Quebec City, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)

Parti Québécois (PQ) Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is right to fear that his party may be being spied on by Ottawa, according to Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette.

During a press scrum at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Jolin-Barrette, a member of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), stated that “parliamentarians must always remain vigilant.”

• READ MORE: Parti Québécois leader worries — without proof — that Ottawa is spying on his party

This comes after St-Pierre Plamondon revealed that during party meetings, phones were being placed in Faraday bags — used to protect them from spying — and removed from the room.

“Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon’s fears are not unfounded,” Jolin-Barrette said on Wednesday. “I think we need to remain vigilant.”

“History has shown that sometimes, when there are national issues at stake regarding Quebec’s future, the federal government does not play by the rules,” Jolin-Barrette added. “This has been well documented.”

He continued: “Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon, regarding his position and the need to be vigilant, I think he has the right approach.”

“Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon is justified in raising questions and being vigilant regarding his position,” Jolin-Barrette said.

• READ MORE: Liberals, PQ neck and neck as CAQ gains ground: poll

The minister’s remarks contrast those of his colleague, Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière, who said on Tuesday that he was “surprised” by the PQ leader’s allegations.

“I’m not saying it’s impossible. I highly doubt it,” he said. “I think their strategy is pretty transparent: they want a referendum.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 13, 2026.