Hypocrisy, thy name is ‘La Belle’.
In a twist that could make even the most seasoned political observer do a double take, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet is throwing his support behind counter-tariffs against the US — a distinctly federalist position — while remaining firmly opposed to pipelines that would bring Alberta oil to Quebec’s doorstep.
Blanchet’s platform promises to fight aggressively for protectionist measures that would shield Quebec industries like lumber and aluminum — and cheese curds — from American trade policies.
The Bloc also vows to back Ottawa’s aid programs for businesses and workers affected by tariffs, effectively standing in solidarity with a cause championed by the very federalist parties the Bloc seeks to replace in Quebec.
But when it comes to energy policy, Blanchet sings a different tune.
He continues to oppose pipelines crossing Quebec soil and has dismissed the idea of exporting Canadian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe, arguing that there is “no business case” for such a project.
His stance stands in contrast to recent polls showing growing support for the Conservatives and Liberals — two parties that have both backed energy development — as Quebec voters weigh their economic future in the upcoming election.
Blanchet’s position raises an obvious question: how can a party devoted to Quebec independence justify supporting a Canada-wide economic retaliation effort while simultaneously rejecting national energy infrastructure?
Blanchet, however, has doubled down on his opposition to pipelines, calling them a waste of taxpayer money.
“Last year, Canada paid $13 billion to the oil and gas industry—$7 billion of that from Quebec taxpayers,” he said. “We pay for oil. We pay for gas. Thousands of dollars per person in Quebec and in Canada for a project which has no meaning and no future.”
He also dismissed any suggestion that Europe might be a viable market for Canadian LNG, despite recent polls showing support in Quebec for energy exports that could play a key role in Canada’s economic stability.
“Europe does not want it,” Blanchet claimed. “It could not be built in less than eight to ten years. It would arrive in Europe and be imposed tariffs and pollution.”
The Bloc’s attempt to walk the tightrope between economic nationalism and staunch separatism is not lost on political rivals. The Liberals were quick to pounce on the contradiction, questioning how Blanchet can claim to defend Quebec workers while committing his party to permanent opposition status in Ottawa.
“The Bloc’s platform fails to answer the fundamental question of how they can defend the interests of Quebec workers when they will never leave the opposition,” the Liberal campaign stated.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives have leaned into their pro-pipeline, pro-export messaging, highlighting how Canadian energy could play a key role in countering both economic uncertainty at home and geopolitical instability abroad.