Quebec referendum? Parties pushing government to answer: yes or no

With an Alberta referendum on the minds of many, Quebec MNAs are being forced to answer the question: Oui or Non?

The planned referendum in Alberta was the talk of the National Assembly in Quebec City on Wednesday.

Elected representatives (MNAs) are being asked whether they would vote “yes” or “no” for separation.

Liberal MNA Marc Tanguay asked CAQ Minister Responsible for Canadian Relations Jean Boulet what his vote would be in in a third sovereignty referendum.

Boulet said he would vote “no.”

His CAQ colleague, Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe, however, said he would vote “yes.”

Many CAQ MNAs avoided taking a clear stance, however, saying they were in line with Quebecers who do not want a referendum.

“Quebecois do not want to return to old constitutional issues,” said Premier Christine Fréchette.

However, opposition parties want answers.

The Parti Québécois wants to know what the premier would vote.

“I know already what’s the answer because when I hear her talk, it’s clear that this party right now is a federalist party,” said PQ MNA Alex Boissonneault. “The CAQ has shown that eight years of the third way is a total failure.”

The Liberals say there is no grey zone when it comes to separation.

“This party is a coalition of many people and they need to chose their camp because the Parti Québécois is very adamant and very clear about doing a potential referendum,” said Liberal leader Charles Milliard. “We need to know where people stand.”

It’s not an easy question to answer for the CAQ, a nationalist party made up of federalists and sovereigntists.

“They should keep to their first message,” said political analyst Victor Henriquez. “The message they’ve been sending since 2012. Of course the other parties will look to put pressure on them because they’re trying to get rid of the CAQ... Because they’re taking votes from the Liberals and from the PQ that’s why they’re trying to put that kind of pressure.”

The CAQ will likely be faced with this issue again because the PQ is promising a referendum, and the election is just four months away.