Anglo campaigns for sovereignist party in West Island

“It’s one of the first questions people always ask me,” said Hanley, the Jacques Cartier hopeful for Québec solidaire. “I think for a lot of people, (sovereignty) is the defining question for them on which party they vote for.”

Hanley said unlike the Parti Québécois, Québec solidaire is not on a mission to hold a referendum. Instead, it explores Quebec sovereignty as a possible route to achieve its extensive social justice objectives.

“I don’t hope that Quebec separates from Canada,” the 34-year-old Montrealer said. “I would be very disappointed if that happened, but I feel comfortable being part of a party that recognizes Quebec’s sovereignty. I agree that Quebecers have the right to decide what type of relationship they have with the rest of Canada.”

For Hanley, a professor in McGill University’s social-work program, no other party matches Québec solidaire’s positions on equality and social justice-oriented policy.

“It’s important (for people) to start voting according to their beliefs . . . in order to at least register that there are other parties out there,” she said.

John Abbott College political science professor Jim Leeke said there has always been sympathy toward Quebec sovereignty from some left-leaning anglophones — especially those who identify with the national liberation struggles of the colonial world.

“If you’re a socialist you might believe that the best way to build a socialist society in Quebec would be as an independent Quebec,” Leeke said.

— Andy Blatchford