Ottawa: Ontario Premier Doug Ford waded into Quebec’s provincial politics on Wednesday, cautioning that the election of a separatist party in Quebec would be “a disaster” for the country.
Ford made the remarks during a joint news conference with New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, ahead of a meeting of provincial premiers.
The gathering will likely be Quebec Premier François Legault’s last first ministers’ meeting, as Legault announced earlier this month that he will step down once his party selects a new leader.
With Parti Québécois (PQ) leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon leading in opinion polls ahead of the fall provincial election, reporters asked Ford and Holt how they would feel about negotiating with a separatist premier at the first ministers’ table.
Ford responded bluntly: “It’d be a disaster for our country if the separatists got elected. It’s as simple as that. We have to be a united Canada right now.”
He added, “There’s never been a more important time in our history to make sure that we stand shoulder to shoulder, united. Not only will it be good for Canada, it will be good for Quebecers.”
Premier Holt echoed the sentiment in a slightly more measured tone. “Because of everything that’s happening, this current uncertainty, we shouldn’t contribute to the economic and social uncertainty. It’s a time to strengthen ourselves together,” she said.
“New Brunswick would like to see Quebec as a good neighbour, a good partner within Canada,” Holt added.
