Provincial Autonomy: Can Quebec benefit from an alliance with Alberta?

The Legault government continues to demand more power for Quebec and continues to denounce federal interference in its areas of jurisdiction. Quebec recently found an ally in its fight: Alberta. But can this rapprochement between the two provinces really bear fruit? The Canadian Press spoke with political scientists.

According to Éric Montigny, a professor of political science at Laval University, ” Quebec has every interest in building ties within the Canadian federation, to push an agenda that demands greater autonomy for the provinces within the federal framework.”

The Coalition avenir Québec prides itself on embodying a third way between the federalism of the Liberals and the independence of the Parti Québécois, which seeks to make gains for the province while remaining within Canada.

Éric Montigny, who is the co-author of a book on Quebec , recalls that the objective of the Legault government is to make “gains, one at a time.”

“It’s not about waiting for the big night,” he emphasizes.

In a letter sent to her counterpart François Legault, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith proposed that the two governments work together for greater provincial autonomy.

She also said she supports several recommendations in the “Report of the Advisory Committee on Quebec ‘s Constitutional Issues within the Federation,” tabled last November.

The Premier of Alberta even gave her support to Quebec in the matter of using the notwithstanding clause for Bill 21 on secularism. This support was welcomed by Quebec .

Quebec Minister of Canadian Relations Simon Jolin-Barrette met with Smith last week.

“We place our pawns”

According to political scientist Frédéric Boily, this potential alliance could be “fertile” for both Quebec and Alberta, especially in the context of the federal election where the Liberals could well be returned to power, according to the most recent polls.

“It gives both provinces a little more leverage in negotiations. (…) We’re placing our pawns,” says the professor at the University of Alberta.

An alliance between the two provinces may, however, be surprising since historically, Quebec and Alberta have had tensions, particularly on the issue of equalization and energy issues.

” Quebec is the pro-environment province, for the fight against climate change, etc. It’s firmly embedded in the collective Albertan imagination. And so, in terms of policy, Quebec continues to be a deterrent for Albertans, much more than an ally,” argues a professor of political science at the University of Winnipeg, Félix Mathieu.

The political scientist, however, has a reservation about this alliance. “Yes, Quebec and Alberta share a desire to have a special agreement with the Canadian federal system to better benefit themselves, but often with the aim of achieving quite different political ends,” he explains.

This isn’t the first time the topic has been raised. An alliance between Quebec and Alberta was already discussed in 2019, when the western province was led by Premier Jason Kenney.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews