Article content

With sentiment for Quebec separation at an all-time low, former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe chose this year’s Canada Day to praise the “unity” of the country he has spent more than 20 years trying to break up.

“What makes the strength of Canadians is their unity, above partisan divisions,” he wrote in a June 29 column published in the Journal de Montreal.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Former Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe surprisingly lauds 'unity' of Canadians on Canada Day Back to video

“What continues to make the weakness of Quebec is the division among Quebecers about the national question.”

The column is entitled “It’s been 35 years that I’ve celebrated July 1st,” and carries the twist ending that July 1 is the birthday of Mr. Duceppe’s son, Alexis. Like all other sovereigntist leaders, of course, Mr. Duceppe does not celebrate Canada Day.

Nevertheless, with all apparent earnestness — and even a slight twinge of envy — Mr. Duceppe wrote that he “admires Canadians.”

“I understand why Canadians celebrate July 1st, because Canada is a grand and beautiful country,” he wrote.