Beware: A Liberal–Bloc Coalition Is Possible

I watched the federal leaders debate, and something was immediately clear—this wasn’t a policy discussion. It was a negotiation. And the Bloc Québécois came to the table not to represent Canadians, but to set the terms of their support for a future minority government.

Let’s stop pretending otherwise. Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet didn’t show up to offer ideas for national unity or economic growth. He was there to stake Quebec’s claim in a federal government he has no intention of leading and no interest in strengthening. He said so himself—he doesn’t want to be prime minister. His only job, as he sees it, is to ensure Quebec is treated differently. Full stop.

And if Canadians aren’t paying attention, he may just succeed.

Blanchet used the debate stage to position his party as the powerbroker for what’s looking more and more like a future minority Parliament. He wasn’t subtle about it. He repeatedly made demands on behalf of Quebec—more exemptions, more money, more control. Not once did he speak about the rest of the country. Because the Bloc doesn’t care about the rest of the country.

This is a party that doesn’t run a single candidate outside Quebec. They’re not a national party. They exist to push for Quebec’s interests and, if the moment is right, to revive the push for sovereignty. Despite that, they were given a platform at the national leaders’ debate—while the Green Party, which fields candidates in every province, was excluded.

Let that sink in. A separatist party with no national mandate was invited to help shape the election narrative. And that’s exactly what they did.

During the debate, the Bloc Québécois leader was asked whether Quebec separation discussions would be put aside while Canada deals with serious national matters—it seemed to be insinuated that trade negotiations with the United States was the serious national issue. Blanchet’s answer? A referendum wouldn’t be on the table—until after Canada concludes negotiations with the United States. He said Quebec should be part of those talks, and only afterward could the question of separation come up again.

Did you catch that? Quebec is entertaining the idea of a separation vote based on the outcome of Canada’s international trade talks. That’s not a footnote—that’s a flashing red light. A federal party is quietly linking national unity to foreign negotiations.

And here’s the real danger: if the Liberals—now led by Mark Carney—fail to win a majority, who will they turn to for support? The NDP, under Jagmeet Singh, is losing relevance by the day. Singh’s debate performance was marked by constant interruptions and personal attacks, particularly directed at Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. There was no leadership on display—just desperate theatrics.

That leaves the Bloc. Blanchet knows it. And Carney knows it too.

We’ve been down this road before. In 2008, the Liberals and NDP tried to form a coalition government backed by the Bloc. The backlash was strong enough to kill it then. But the dynamics today are more volatile—and the Bloc is even more confident in its leverage.

A Liberal–Bloc alliance is not just a bad idea. It’s a threat to Canada’s future.

We’re already seeing the imbalance. Quebec receives billions through equalization while blocking national energy projects. It gets special exemptions from federal programs. A government dependent on Bloc support would only make that worse.

And what about the rest of us?

If you live in Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, or anywhere west of Thunder Bay, you’ve likely felt the frustration. Federal decisions rarely reflect our priorities. We’re taxed more, heard less, and treated like a distant afterthought in national politics.

A Bloc-backed government would cement that divide.

According to a 2023 Angus Reid poll, more than half of Albertans supported increased provincial autonomy. Saskatchewan isn’t far behind. The reason is simple: people are tired of watching national policy be negotiated in Quebec’s favour while their own voices are ignored.

And now, we’re facing the possibility of a federal government where a separatist party holds the balance of power. Where every policy, every spending decision, and every negotiation must go through a party that has openly stated it wants a different future for Quebec—and maybe no future in Canada at all.

This isn’t theoretical. It’s happening in real time. And Canadians need to take it seriously.

The Bloc Québécois didn’t come to the debate to participate in democracy. They came to bargain. They laid out the terms of their support. They signalled clearly: if a Liberal minority government emerges, they’re ready to deal.

That deal would come at a steep cost: national unity, Western inclusion, and the basic idea that Canada is one country—not a collection of competing provinces.

The only leader who offered a national vision during the debate was Pierre Poilievre. He spoke to Canadians in every region, called for a fairer, stronger federation, and didn’t try to score cheap points at the expense of unity. That kind of leadership is exactly what we need now.

Because the alternative—a Bloc-controlled balance of power—would divide this country faster than we can imagine. It would fuel Western separation. It would harden resentment. And it could mark the beginning of the end for Canada as we know it.

Don’t ignore this. Don’t assume others will stop it. The Bloc is already negotiating the terms of power.

Let’s make sure they never get to collect.