QUEBEC CITY — All eyes are on Scotland. The country of 4 million is deciding whether it wants to separate from the United Kingdom.
READ MORE: Decision day for Scotland
The referendum has struck a chord with Quebecers.
Representatives from the Parti Québécois are in Scotland hoping for a ‘yes’ vote. They believe it would be a “shining example” for the next referendum in Quebec.
“The birth of a new country is something extraordinary,” PQ MNA André Villeneuve shared with Global News on his way to a meeting.
“I wish that the referendum goes well and that we can learn from their practices in Scotland,” added his colleague, Pascal Bérubé.
READ MORE: Supporters of Quebec independence watching Scotland results
Four PQ MNAs are currently in Scotland, some participating in ‘yes’ rallies. Their presence overseas was criticized by Premier Philippe Couillard Thursday.
“I think it reflects their choice of priorities,” he said.
“We have a lot of significant issues to have to discuss in Quebec, and I think this is where we should all be.”
“Their responsibility is to be here,” added Liberal MNA Rita de Santis.
“I think that they would have reacted very negatively if anyone from outside of Quebec, as they did when Anglo-Canadians came here to rally for the no, came. I can’t imagine how they would have reacted if Americans or Greeks or Italians or anyone else would have come.”
READ MORE: Emotions mount on final day of Scottish campaign
MNAs from all political parties in Quebec admitted to following events in Scotland. However, Coalition Avenir Quebec leader François Legault said he doesn’t believe the outcome will have much of an impact on this side of the Atlantic.
“I think the situation in Scotland is very different than in Quebec,” he said.
“In Scotland the average GDP per capita is higher than in Great Britain, so of course they have the means.”
Results of the independence vote in Scotland will be known early Friday morning.
Comments