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Federal leaders, N.S. premier denounce Blanchet for calling Canada 'an artificial country'
MONT-LAURIER, Que. – Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet is taking criticism from all sides after declaring Canada “an artificial country.”
Blanchet said in French on Thursday he felt he was a member of a “foreign parliament.” And on Friday morning, at a campaign stop in Shawinigan, Que., Blanchet added another layer, saying: “We are, whether we like it or not, part of an artificial country with very little meaning, called Canada.”
“It’s a foreign parliament because this nation is not mine,” Blanchet explained. “I feel no more at ease in the Canadian Parliament than (Alberta Premier Danielle) Smith would in Quebec’s National Assembly.”
His remarks have set off a swarm of reactions from English-speaking politicians outside Quebec. Yet, the initial salvo came not from Premier Smith, but from her Nova Scotia counterpart, Tim Houston.
In a letter sent to Blanchet and posted to X Friday night, Premier Houston said he was “dismayed” by Blanchet’s “insulting” comments, and invited the Bloc boss to “reflect on what it means to be Canadian and take more pride and honor on being an elected official in Canada.”
It’s hard to believe Mr. Blanchet would describe Canada as “an artificial country with very little meaning.” Say what you want about our challenges, but don’t insult the country we all call home. pic.twitter.com/WHGg1E7Bvg
— Tim Houston (@TimHoustonNS) April 26, 2025
“If you can’t do that, I would ask you to step aside in favour of those who put country first,” he wrote.
On Saturday, three federal leaders also denounced Blanchet.
In a message on X , Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called Blanchet’s comments “insulting and false.”
“Canada is a strong, proud and sovereign country with a rich history,” he wrote.
“I reject (his comments) completely,” said Liberal Leader Mark Carney at a press conference in Greater Toronto. “This is an incredible country. I’m incredibly proud to be Canadian. We have done incredible things. Those who came before us have done incredible things to create this kind of diverse, ambitious, humble country,” he said.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called the comments “offensive.”
“We’ve got Donald Trump attacking us. We don’t need attacks from the inside like that. People are showing so much solidarity in Quebec, across Canada, saying we will never be the 51st state. We’re proud of our nation,” he said.
Blanchet doubles down
Yet at his own campaign stop on Saturday afternoon, Blanchet showed neither remorse nor regret. In fact, it was quite the opposite, with the Bloc leader repeating his claim that “Canada is an artificial country.”
But he objected to Houston’s characterization of his remarks as an insult to Canadians.
“It isn’t meant as an insult. Daily politics in Canada shows that,” Blanchet said.
“It’s meant as an observation of a fact that the different regions of this country have different issues pulled together in order to serve mainly Ontario, and an intention from Ottawa to concentrate powers in Ottawa instead of respecting regions.”
Over the years, Blanchet has often stated that Canada is a “foreign nation” to him, particularly for linguistic and cultural reasons. As a separatist, he wants to make Quebec a country because he does not feel at home in Canada.
Quebec is a recognized nation “within a united Canada,” according to federal legislation.
On Saturday, Blanchet added his position is supported by nearly decade-old comments by Justin Trudeau. In a 2015 New York Times interview , the former prime minister claimed that Canada was “the first post-national state.”
“It’s a non-nation, a country which denies its own identity,” said Blanchet, underlining that Quebec “is a proud nation.”
The Bloc leader said he wouldn’t be responding to Premier Houston’s letter, which asks rhetorically: “What is it about Canada you don’t like? You have been a politician since 2008, paid by Canadians, why haven’t you done your part to work towards improving this country we should all love so dearly?” he asked.
Blanchet was first elected to the National Assembly in 2008 under the Parti Québécois banner, and later served as Minister of the Environment under former premier Pauline Marois. He became leader of the Bloc and was first elected as an MP in 2019.
He has repeatedly stated the federal government represents an existential threat to Quebec, particularly regarding protection of the French language.
It’s unclear exactly what are the motives behind Premier Houston’s letter. The Progressive Conservative premier recently made headlines for his patriotic stance in the tariff war against the United States.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to annex Canada and make it the “51st state.”
Some observers have suggested Houston might seek the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada if Pierre Poilievre fails to win the election Monday night.
In Quebec, the Bloc held the largest number of seats at the time of dissolution, but it is poised to lose ground, according to polls and poll aggregators.
However, the party could well find itself with the balance of power if the election produces a minority government.
On Friday, Blanchet said that “as long as we are part of Canada, and we get elected in this Parliament, we are entitled to any right and privilege and opportunity being provided by the persons who vote, and I will relinquish none of them.”
National Post
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