Quebec “deserves” to become a “country,” insisted the leader of the Parti Québécois (PQ), the party that advocates independence for the French-speaking Canadian province, following his victory in the local elections held yesterday, reaffirming that he intends to organize a new referendum on independence.

“The courageous struggle of French speakers in America to preserve their cultural differences will be vindicated when this people has its own country and the recognition that will come with it. It deserves it; we deserve it, just like the other peoples who have their own countries and their own democracies,” Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said, addressing supporters gathered in Montreal. “It is a matter of survival,” he added.