Q & A with Jacques Parizeau 21 March, 1997

Former Premier of Quebec Jacques Parizeau spoke twice at Dalhousie University on March 21, 1997. His first speech, on Political Economy, touched on general subjects of interest to the economically inclined. He did not entertain any questions with respect to Quebec separation.

In his second speech, in front of about 200 people, he called himself a sovereigntist, and a separatist. He mentioned the plight of the Atlantic provinces after separation by Quebec .

He suggested Atlantic Canadians shouldn't view a sovereign Quebec with fear and suspicion.

"The fact that we aren't there anymore will help you," Parizeau said.

"You will be at last in a position to discuss the sort of contribution that Canada must make to the prosperity of the Maritime provinces without ever having to bother any more about the dollar cost for the federal treasury to extend the offer to Quebec. We won't be there."

Some quotes:

On the 95 referendum:
"A majority of the majority -- the French in Quebec -- have decided it [sovereignty] will be so."

On Aboriginals:
"Look, they're less that one percent. So the public interest is not them."

On a sovereign Quebec's military:
"With respect to a navy, we won't need one -- just a beefed up coast guard."

On negotiating Quebec's share of the debt:
"Emotions have a great place in the world. They have a great place in politics - politics is nine-tenths emotions. But some times the chips are down and that would be one place where the chips are down."

On free passage between the disjointed parts of Canada:
"That is really for us to give all required guarantees," he said. "If we don't solve that properly and quickly ourselves by supplying all that is required by us, we risk poisoning the atmosphere."

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Q&A with uni.ca:

 

"Yes, indeed. The key is France."

Q: How would you respond to this: Canadians are not asking the federal government how they would respond to a UDI (unilateral declaration of independence) because they know the answer. The Government of Canada would not recognize a unilateral declaration because of its composition, and could not because of the Supreme Court of Canada reference. You would really be in a moral and legal no man's land after a UDI, correct? A: No. But I've described this often. We must have quickly a recognition as a sovereign country. I do not expect ...

 

Q: But besides France who would give it? A: Not besides France ... when you open that up, you see, you put the Americans in a sort of quandry. You know, the Monroe Doctrine and that sort of thing? It would have been awfully difficult for political change of that order in the Americas with the Americans sitting on the sideline. One of the things that the Americans will not try, certainly is to choose Quebec over Canada. Not in any way. If they can avoid recognizing Quebec because Canada would not recognize Quebec, they will. And they support you fully, wholly in this. But there's one thing they don't like -- it's that another country, a unitary country of some size is recognizing Quebec. That inevitably changes their position. They know that -- look I know this. I've discussed these things long enough with the United States to know very well. Yes indeed, the key is France.

 

Q: But really, the US would say "Sit down and talk" wouldn't they? The certainly would not give immediate recognition in the face of objections from the Government of Canada. A: No no. You can organise any scenario you want. But here, you're in a sort of moral power-play. You know what I've said: We've got to be careful to be in a position to achieve sovereignty with Canada if possible, but without Canada if necessary. It also includes, besides the various economic scenarios I mentioned earlier, the scenario of recognition, because the scenario of recognition is very important. By the way, I'll be publishing a book on these matters on these various matters in a few weeks.

 

" ... when you open that up, you see, you put the Americans in a sort of quandry."

Q: In both languages? A: (laughs) No, no. Not at all. I haven't the money to translate it. I'm a private citizen!

Note: Several weeks later, in mid May, 1997, Parizeau released "For a Sovereign Quebec," wherein he described the content of his UDI strategy, and caused a stir during the concurrent federal election (excerpts from the book on his strategy).