(Quebec) In his first speech to Parliament after being sworn in as Member of Parliament for the riding of Jean-Talon in Quebec, newly elected PQ member Pascal Paradis delivered a strong message in favor of cultural diversity and the sovereignty of Quebec.
Posted at 3:08 p.m.
While his opponents criticized the Parti Québécois (PQ) for barely raising the issue of independence in the last by-election, Mr. Paradis made the issue the highlight of his speech at Salon Rouge on Tuesday. His election now allows Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s troops to ask one question per day at Salon Bleu.
Addressing a diverse audience that gathered his relatives, former campaign volunteers and former employees of the organization he founded, Avocats sans frontières, Mr. Paradis stressed that openness to the world and to cultural diversity was the basis of his political commitment.
“That our First Nations ancestors populated this land thousands of years ago, that we are descendants of the French or English who arrived here several centuries ago, that we come from North African immigration, from sub-Saharan Africa, from Latin America, Haiti and elsewhere on the “The world is part of the same community,” argued new MP Jean-Talon, whose stunning victory earlier this month triggered a political earthquake in Quebec.
“I understand and appreciate the diversity of this community. I will forever carry the values of cosmopolitanism and justice that are at the heart of my political and social engagement,” he added.
Mandela and Gandhi quoted in Salon Rouge
For his part, Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon quoted two notable figures in international politics, Nelson Mandela and Gandhi, in a metaphor about the pitfalls to overcome when it comes time to defend one’s beliefs .
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESS
Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon
“Nelson Mandela once said that it always seems impossible until it is done. In other words, he said the impossible was actually a possibility that simply hadn’t happened yet. Well, Gandhi had very, very wise words about the impossible. He said the difference between the possible and the impossible lay in the determination with which Mandela responded […] “A winner is simply a dreamer who never gave up,” he listed.
Former PQ member for the Taschenreau constituency in downtown Quebec, Agnès Maltais, then summarized that PQ activists have been reinvigorated by their party’s return to the national capital. “It looks like we’re not dead!” she said.
For his part, Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon justified his decision to quote two notable political figures of the 20th century as a nod to Mr. Paradis’ professional career in defending rights around the world. He also wanted to highlight the combativeness that marked the entry into politics of Jean-Talon’s new MP, while La Presse revealed last month that he had held talks with the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) in the run-up to the last general election.