Quebec premier alleges U.S. interference as election nears
Christine Fréchette says she has contacted CSIS and wants a meeting with the prime minister after reports of American efforts to support sovereigntists.
QUEBEC — Allegations of possible U.S. interference dominated the Quebec election campaign on Friday, prompting Premier Christine Fréchette to seek a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and contact Canada's spy agency.
"I want help from the federal government to shed light on the issue," Fréchette told reporters, adding that Quebecers alone should decide who forms the next provincial government.
The Coalition Avenir Québec leader was responding to a Quebecor media report that quoted unnamed sources saying American officials had attempted to negotiate tariffs directly with Quebec.
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The report also noted a February essay by a U.S.-based think tank, the Defense Analyses and Research Corporation, which called for Americans to destabilize the Canadian federation.
The essay urged support for the election of sovereigntists in Canadian elections and to "weaponize" reconciliation with First Nations to "slowly nudge" the country on a path toward dissolution.
Féchette confirmed that American officials contacted her government in the spring regarding sectors related to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.
"When my team told me about it, I shut the door on it right away. Because, as far as I’m concerned, it’s unthinkable that Quebec could sign an agreement with the United States," she said.
Her office issued a statement saying her team informed her last Saturday about the think tank essays, prompting contact with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service on Tuesday and a meeting with the agency on Wednesday.
The statement added that Fréchette's team had received no information confirming interference in the election campaign.
CSIS spokesperson Eric Balsam said the agency provided briefings about foreign interference to all political parties in Quebec, which is now standard practice when a campaign is called.
"Detecting and deterring foreign interference, and protecting our democratic processes, is core to CSIS’ mandate," Balsam said in a statement.
Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon questioned the timing of the allegations, with advance voting beginning Sunday.
"I'm told the information was available as of January. We're talking about events that might have taken place in early September," he said. "And we're only hearing about this two days before voting begins."
He said his party was not contacted by American officials and he has seen no proof of interference.
St-Pierre Plamondon urged Quebecers to head to the polls "with peace of mind" and to not allow the federal and American governments to "kidnap" the election.
Liberal Leader Charles Milliard said Fréchette should have been more transparent and informed all party leaders when the allegations first surfaced.
Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal called for greater transparency.
"What is she telling us? After she meets Carney, it's crucial that she informs all Quebecers of the nature of the interference, if there was interference," said Ghazal.
She suggested the American government could have an interest in separatist movements in both Quebec and Alberta.
Federal Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa is taking the allegations seriously.
"Protecting our democracy is of the utmost importance to our country," she said.
Anand said she does not believe there is currently anything affecting Canada's democracy but added that she raises concerns with her counterparts, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, when issues arise.
Thomas Juneau, a professor at the University of Ottawa, said the amateurish nature of the think tank report makes him wonder if there are other aspects to what was detected.
"Whatever exactly is going on, the simple fact that we’re thinking about this should tell us, if anyone still had any doubts, that relations with the United States are not what they were," Juneau said.
Advance polls open Sunday, with the provincial election set for Oct. 5.
With files from The Canadian Press, Global News and CBC News