Quebec independence would yield $13 billion to $16 billion in administrative savings by eliminating or merging most of the roughly 230 federal agencies operating in the province, Parti Québécois (PQ) Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon announced Tuesday.
Presenting the final chapters of his party’s 524-page Blue Book on sovereignty, St-Pierre Plamondon framed the plan as the most significant administrative overhaul in Quebec’s history.
“This will be the biggest exercise in [reducing bureaucracy] and fighting waste in our history,” St-Pierre Plamondon told reporters, adding that ministries currently duplicated at the federal and provincial levels — such as health, environment and immigration — would be streamlined.
“Never in Quebec’s history has there been such serious and detailed work on our independence,” he said.
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Gradually unveiled in 2025, the 500-plus-page Blue Book outlines the blueprint for a Quebec independent from Ottawa. St-Pierre Plamondon calls it the launch pad for a public dialogue, with updated versions slated for release ahead of a first-term sovereignty referendum, should the PQ win power.
Under the PQ plan, federal civil servants in Quebec who are not integrated into the provincial public service within two years would receive six to eight months of severance pay.
The Blue Book also addresses Indigenous relations, though a dedicated chapter on First Nations is not scheduled for release until this summer.
While a document was delivered to the chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, several chiefs said they have other priorities. Some of them have already said that sovereignty cannot happen without the consent of First Nations and their people, who have territorial claims.
The Blue Book also reopens the thorny question of Labrador, which London’s Privy Council awarded to Newfoundland in 1927.
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To “right this wrong,” the authors suggest seeking a political settlement or financial compensation from Ottawa as part of broader secession negotiations.
The plan also calls for a negotiated maritime border with Canada based on the international principle of equidistance to secure an exclusive resource-exploitation zone.
Charles Milliard, leader of the Quebec Liberals, said on Tuesday that his party would analyze the document seriously before commenting further.
“They took the trouble to write it; we will take the time to read it,” said Milliard.
However, he said the document confirms that sovereignty remains the PQ’s sole priority for the upcoming election.
“This choice — which does not align with the will of a vast majority of Quebecers — belongs to them and will be subjected to voters’ judgment.”
Other provincial parties did not immediately comment on the proposal.
