Quebec nationalism is now a requirement indispensable requirement for all who aspire to power one day. It’s almost a state religion. It is of course honorable to want to put Quebec and our nation above all else, to want to defend our interests and respect our differences, but it should not be a competition about who loves Quebec most.

Federalists are often criticized for choosing between Quebec and Canada. We doubt their Quebec nationalism because of their Canadian patriotism. As if one contradicted the other. However, we can love Quebec and Canada with equal force. We can call ourselves proud Quebecers and proud Canadians in the same sentence and in the same breath.

Canada is neither Justin Trudeau and his government nor Stephen Harper and his. Canada is greater than any it has ever ruled. It is the land of peace, tolerance and respect. A country cannot and should not be judged by the quality of the decisions of those who govern it. It must be cherished for its people, its history and the values ​​it represents, here as elsewhere.

We are fortunate to belong to two nations: Quebec and Canada. They’re different, of course, but they’re not strangers to each other, no matter what we want to have you believe. We are blessed by the gods to be part of democratic, open and culturally rich and above all respected peoples. Nations that have a history, but above all a promising and bright future. Need we remind you that Canada, including Quebec, is young compared to other countries?

Canada Day is in a few days. Now is not the time to bring the country, its leaders, or its history to justice. This is not the time for those who hate the idea of ​​a united and prosperous Canada to spit their venom on the confirmed decision of a majority of Quebecers. Rather, it’s time to think about what we can do together to make it better. Because Canada is above us. Let us not be intimidated or embarrassed to express our affection and patriotism.

Happy Canada Day everyone.