For the environment
“The environment is the basis of my independence. » Alex Valiquette first campaigned within several environmentalist groups before turning to sovereignism.
In the aftermath of the Global Climate March in 2019, disappointed by the government’s inaction, Alex Valiquette sought a solution that would have a long-term impact. “We need a project that will bring about profound change, social transformation. Independence, I see this project as a potential for this change,” he opines.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Alex Valiquette, responsible for communications and youth at OUI Québec
The young man then joined OUI Québec (United Organizations for Independence) as communications and youth manager.
The YES Quebec fights in a non-partisan manner for the sovereignty of Quebec. Bringing together citizens and organizations, they are particularly active among youth by organizing rallies across the province.
For many of these young sovereignists, the environment is an essential consideration. “The environment is part of a new generation’s discourse. Even in 1995, it was barely something that was considered,” notes Alex Valiquette.
“Quebec is going to be super affected by the climate crisis, even more than other countries in the world because of its geographical position,” says the president of OUI Québec, Camille Goyette-Gingras.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Camille Goyette-Gingras, president of OUI Québec
A sovereign Quebec would be an opportunity to build a new society with environmental orientations. Beyond a dissociation from oil energies and the creation of a transition plan towards renewable energies, a Quebec country would open up a space for collective reflection on our future. “We need a space where we break the status quo and where we ask the question collectively: how do we want to live? », says Alex Valiquette.
For indigenous communities
Coming from the Innu community of Mashteuiatsh, Michaël Ottereyes grew up in Lac-Saint-Jean in a family that “sang Paul Piché”. “I was born in 1995, the year of the referendum,” he says, laughing. I have always been a sovereignist. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MICHAËL OTTEREYES
Michaël Ottereyes, indigenous activist
“The sovereignty of Quebec is the only path to real reconciliation,” believes Michaël Ottereyes, who was co-responsible for the National Indigenous Commission of Québec solidaire.
The young man underlines a certain resemblance between indigenous and sovereignist demands: “With Quebec, we share common struggles. We share struggles with language. In our indigenous peoples, language is always in danger. Like French, we are in a pool of English speakers. »
Michaël Ottereyes particularly celebrates an “inclusive sovereignist discourse with all the people of Quebec”. According to him, a sovereign project could generate a new Constitution and a constituent assembly where “all genders, all peoples and all parties” are included.
A new Constitution could help correct injustices committed against indigenous peoples. “The Canadian Constitution of 1867 separated the Aboriginal people federally and the forest became provincial. Already, when we left, we became poachers. Our livelihoods were taken away completely. It was decided without us, but it involved our whole lives,” says the activist.
“We want to have political weight when there are big decisions on territorial affairs when it is our ancestral territories,” he recalls. “We just want to be really listened to. »
The important thing, according to Michaël Ottereyes, is to take the time to think about the project, while consulting indigenous peoples. “Everything is to be built, everything is permitted. Is it possible to imagine that a person from each indigenous community in Quebec could be represented, with a man and a woman? It could be, but we need to give ourselves the opportunity to discuss it. »
Michaël Ottereyes, who was invited to speak at a gathering of OUI Québec, sees in young people promising potential for the future of sovereignism. “The youth shone a lot. It was incredible, how many young people there were! […] When you see events like that, sovereignty is not over! »
For feminist issues
Having grown up in a proudly sovereignist family, Marguerite Landry has been immersed in these issues since a young age. “My parents told me that if I brought a guy home who wasn’t an independentist, they would throw me out,” jokes the young woman. As an adult, I really had a thought. […] I started reading and thinking and realized that my parents were right! »
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Marguerite Landry, vice-president of OUI Québec
Today vice-president of OUI Québec, Marguerite Landry has been working on the development of a feminist committee within the organization since the fall. “The feminist fight and the independence fight evolved really very close to each other in my heart. »
“The independence struggle is a liberation struggle. Feminist struggles are liberation struggles. The parallel is obvious to me in that sense,” she explains.
The convergence between the feminist cause and the independence cause would be an extension of Quebec’s feminist heritage. According to the young woman, independence would allow “the advancement of the feminist cause in several areas”, particularly with regard to the legal aspect. The creation of a Quebec constitution would make it possible to repatriate “major issues for women which are completely in the hands of the federal government”, such as abortion, prostitution and sexual violence.
According to the president of OUI Québec, it is thanks to young people that sovereignism remains current and close to the important issues of today. “It is important to mobilize young people so that they are not just extras in this fight, but that they are really important players. »