Full Breakdown
Indigenous Voices and Party Promises in Quebec’s 2026 Provincial Election
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Core Issue: Indigenous Consultation and Sovereignty Claims
As the 2026 Quebec provincial election approaches, Indigenous leaders across the province are urging parties to engage First Nations and Inuit communities before any discussion of Quebec sovereignty or independence. Leaders from the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, the Quebec Native Women’s organization, and various regional chiefs have highlighted a perceived “huge lack of respect” and an absence of concrete partnership plans on the campaign trail.
Parties’ Stated Plans for Indigenous Relations
- Québec Solidaire – Co-spokesperson Sol Zanetti said the party would create a constituent assembly that includes Indigenous leadership and would adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The party also pledged to co-draft bills with Indigenous peoples and to establish new partnerships for renewable-energy projects on Indigenous territories.
- Conservative Party of Quebec – Leader Éric Duhaime met with Huron-Wendat Grand Chief Pierre Picard and announced a vision of consulting Indigenous nations on any project affecting their lands and collaborating on economic-development initiatives.
- Quebec Liberal Party – The party’s communications indicated a “much-needed change in tone,” promising that Indigenous communities will be consulted and considered stakeholders in decision-making and project impacts.
- Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) – CAQ leader Christine Fréchette described Indigenous nations as partners and referenced a forthcoming national forest-strategy initiative to be developed with First Nations. The party also pledged to reinforce Indigenous language vitality through education programs.
- Parti Québécois (PQ) – The PQ released a brief statement outlining intentions to consult First Nations and Inuit on language and cultural initiatives, though detailed plans were not provided.
Indigenous Leaders’ Criticism of Campaign Engagement
Francis Verreault-Paul, chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, emphasized that while First Nations will inevitably play a major role, parties have offered no concrete mechanisms for partnership. Marjolaine Étienne, president of Quebec Native Women, argued that promises made after the death of Joyce Echaquan in 2020 have resulted in “total silence,” noting a continued lack of progress on systemic racism. William Tagoona, president of the Avataq Cultural Institute, expressed that Inuit voters feel excluded because candidates rarely visit northern communities or provide information.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's undeniable the role that First Nations [are] going to have to play. But we don't hear anything from the party engaging themselves in how are they going to [partner] with First Nations,” — Francis Verreault-Paul, chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador
These statements illustrate the gap between party rhetoric and Indigenous expectations as Quebec heads toward a pivotal election.
