(Ottawa) Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet heads to the Democratic convention in Chicago on Tuesday after being invited there.
“It was a great privilege to be there,” he told The Canadian Press.
Mr. Blanchett plans to make new contacts during the “political festival” and hold other meetings around the event, which runs until Thursday.
When Parliament returns to Ottawa in September, the debates he attends will serve as “important inspiration.”
“The recession of the Republicans and the rise of the Democrats with Kamala Harris is how we’re going to do politics in Canada and Quebec this fall,” Mr. Blanchett expects.
He plans to focus on the entire Democratic political establishment, noting former President Barack Obama’s aides have returned to service.
“So, the whole way of using social networks, the mobilization work, I’m very interested to see how the democrats work, because yes, it can affect the politics we do in Quebec. »
Mr. During her stay, Blanchett looks forward to energy issues and climate change. He sees his presence at the Democratic convention as a continuation of an “approach” he has taken since becoming leader of the Bloc Québécois, which he says is to “rebuild credibility for the idea of sovereignty.” .
“It is not my choice to tell the American people to support or not support the idea of Quebec sovereignty. […] “I want the Quebec group to be recognized as a potential partner, partner, responsible and reliable,” said Mr. Blanchett summed it up.
After five years as Bloc leader, he believes, “We feel that Bloc Quebecois have credibility in the face of America.”
“Fairness is very comparable in France, where we are received in foreign affairs and on the Quai d’Orsay, the proof or indication of which is that they got me access to the Democratic Congress. »
The convention is an opportunity to formalize the presidential and vice presidential candidacies of Kamala Harris and Tim Walls.
Outgoing President Joe Biden dropped his July re-election bid to deliver a speech on Monday evening after facing weeks of pressure following what was seen as his disastrous debate performance against Republican nominee Donald Trump.
At the Democratic Convention, Mr. Biden’s presence was expected to be a handover exercise, as the president was not expected to be at the event.
Mme Harris, for his part, is expected to present his vision for America’s future. Democrats, Mr. They hope the convention will boost their support, harnessing the party’s resurgent energy that has coalesced behind a Biden-endorsed candidate. Recent polls show Democrats doing well in key states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Among the well-known guests expected to speak at the conference are former President Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
With information from Kelly Geraldine Malone, Washington
