Quebec Liberal Leader Scoffs at PQ's Open Letter to Anglophones

Quebec Liberal leader Charles Milliard has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's recent open letter to the province's anglophone community. Published in the National Post, the letter urged English speakers to consider the sovereignist party with an open mind and promised to entrench their existing rights in the constitution.

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Well, it’s a nice try.

However, Milliard suggested the appeal comes too late. "They surely know that they haven’t been spoken to for the past four, eight, 12, 20 years by the Parti Québécois," he told Global News, implying a long history of neglect. While acknowledging St-Pierre Plamondon's right to engage with the community, Milliard characterized the effort as a "nice try" but ultimately unlikely to sway opinions.

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I guess he has every right to try to talk to the English-speaking communities, but they surely know that they haven’t been spoken to for the past four, eight, 12, 20 years by the Parti Québécois.

Political analyst Karim Boulos agreed that the PQ needs to reduce its "boogeyman effect" and applauded the attempt to reach out. However, he echoed Milliard's doubts, stating, "I don’t see how a simple letter in the newspaper saying, ‘vote for us, we’ll take care of you,’ when the history from 1975 onwards has been anything but in terms of anglo rights." Boulos noted that the letter's publication in a national newspaper, rather than within Quebec, might also limit its impact.

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I don’t see how a simple letter in the newspaper saying, ‘vote for us, we’ll take care of you,’ when the history from 1975 onwards has been anything but in terms of anglo rights.

Despite the plea, Milliard remains unconvinced. "I’m not sure it’s going to change anything," he said, referencing the letter's placement and the PQ leader's overall strategy. Quebec's next provincial election is scheduled for October 5.

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I’m not sure it’s going to change anything.