Our Meeting with MP Yves-François Blanchet

As our final meeting of the Ottawa Study Tour, the OLIP interns had the honour of meeting with MP Yves-François Blanchet, Leader of the Bloc Québécois.

Formerly a teacher and columnist for Le Nouvelliste, MP Blanchet rose to a political career in 2008, most recently securing leadership in 2025 for the third-largest party in Parliament. Our conversation offered a nuanced glimpse into Québec’s politics on a federal platform. We discussed the balance between environmental and economic priorities as well as energy and mining-oriented projects, namely in relation to Québec’s relations with British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.  

We also had the opportunity to discuss MP Blanchet’s prospects for the future of the country’s political priorities. One topic he raised was environmental sustainability and preservation, particularly regarding the risks posed by an oil pipeline running through 830 waterways, including the St. Lawrence River. However, the future was not the only scope of conversation. MP Blanchet also absorbed us in the history of Québec’s society, as well as how its values have been shaped over time to formulate the priorities he maintains today.

We are sincerely grateful to MP Blanchet for meeting with us and engaging our queries and topics of interest. It was an incredible opportunity to learn about his party, his vision, and his experiences as a leader!