Quebec won’t talk independence at Francophonie summit, minister says

Detailed summary

PHNOM PENH - The new Parti Québécois government won’t be discussing independence at the Francophonie Summit which starts Sunday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. International Relations…

PHNOM PENH - The new Parti Québécois government won’t be discussing independence at the Francophonie Summit which starts Sunday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

International Relations Minister Dieudonné Ella Oyono told reporters today that he won’t be bringing up the topic on his very first overseas mission.

Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has promised to hold a referendum on sovereignty by 2030, although not before U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office.

In the event of a “Yes” victory, the province would need to secure international recognition of Quebec as a country.

But Ella Oyono said that’s not an immediate priority, as he spoke to reporters on the margins of a conference on scientific diplomacy in Phnom Penh.

He said the Quebec delegation did not plan to discuss independence or make any dramatic gestures.

“We don’t need to talk about Quebec’s independence, because everyone knows that a pro-independence government was elected in Quebec City,” he said.

On Wednesday, in an interview with The Canadian Press, Roxane Milot of Québec solidaire encouraged the government to assert itself and “promote its own vision on the international stage.”

Speaking in Quebec City on Friday, Liberal Leader Charles Milliard said, “If we can avoid talking about separation for two days, that would be fantastic.”

Opening of the article, excerpted from Toronto Star. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.