STE-CATHERINE-DE-LA-JACQUES-CARTIER — The Parti Quebecois held an emergency caucus retreat Wednesday where the party’s very survival was a discussion topic, illustrating how swiftly and severely it has been gripped by existential malaise.
The gathering came as the PQ found itself torn in two directions: several hardcore sovereigntists have recently quit, while the latest defector urged the party to shelve its independence plans.
The PQ had been coasting atop the polls before the rash of resignations. Now, it suddenly faces a momentous crisis.
Bernard Drainville, a prominent PQ member of the legislature, says he was aghast to see a former ally who recently defected now talking about possibly supporting some broader alliance of sovereigntists.
“We need unity in the sovereignty movement now,” Drainville said on his way into the meeting.
“I watched Pierre (Curzi) yesterday and I asked myself whether he’s now dividing us. I am asking my friend, Pierre, to reflect on the harm he could cause us.
“What he did yesterday doesn’t help us. It divides us even more — and we need unity right now.”
The party’s longest-serving member, Francois Gendron, entered Wednesday’s meeting ridiculing the defectors, whom he deemed “navel-gazers.” Gendron reminded reporters of the PQ’s various accomplishments in its four-decade history.
But another member offered a cryptic hint of ongoing turmoil. Claude Cousineau said he will stay with the party — at least for now — but will spend the summer doing some thinking.
“For the moment, I’m here,” Cousineau said.
“As for the summer that’s coming, it will be a summer of reflection for many people. Because summer is very interesting; you can play golf, go fishing. You can reflect.”
Throughout its history the PQ has withstood tension between its hardline and more moderate factions, but this threat is especially acute.
With momentum apparently stalled toward another independence referendum, some of the party’s elected members have been splintering off in various directions.
Some of the more hardcore, or older, members are losing patience with its go-slow approach to achieving independence. These include former premiers Jacques Parizeau and Bernard Landry, as well as some of the party’s recent defectors.
However, the PQ faces new threats on its opposite flank.
Polls have suggested a yet-to-be created party — led by former PQ minister Francois Legault — might steal some of the PQ’s support by promising a moratorium on independence referendums.
There is also speculation that some elected Pequistes might be preparing to jump ship to that new party.
Some of the defectors have criticized Leader Pauline Marois over her leadership style, with allegations she was too quick to stifle dissenting opinion.
At least one departing MNA has declared Marois would not be the person to lead Quebec to independence. And, on Wednesday, Drainville said it might be a good idea for the PQ to start highlighting the rest of the team more.
“I’m not saying Madame Marois should take up less space,” Drainville said.
“I’m saying the team should take up more space.”