Council meets Quebec Conservative leader
Courtesy Éric Duhaime Facebook
The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) is continuing to meet with political leaders across the spectrum, recently sitting down with Conservative Party of Quebec leader Eric Duhaime as part of their efforts to ensure Kahnawake’s political priorities are considered in provincial politics.
“We want these leaders to be aware of the issues that we’re facing and the stances that we’re taking so that there’s no surprises down the road,” said MCK chief Jeffrey Diabo, who met with Duhaime alongside MCK technician Trina C. Diabo at the end of February.
The Conservatives currently hold no seats in the National Assembly, but in the last provincial election, the party won just under 13 per cent of the popular vote, a marked increase from the previous election in 2022, where the party won less than two per cent of the popular vote.
Though the party has historically trailed behind major parties like the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ), Parti Quebecois (PQ), and the Quebec Liberals, Conservative candidates have come in second place in two recent by-elections, with polls showing increasing support ahead of the next scheduled provincial election in October of this year.
Jeffrey said that he and Trina C. Diabo spoke to Duhaime about their concerns with the proposed Quebec constitution, which was introduced as Bill 1 in late 2025.
“Our position is that the Mohawk territory is not part of Quebec, our people are not Quebecers, and that we don’t agree with their constitution trying to include that without any type of discussion with us,” he said.
According to Jeffrey, Duhaime didn’t make any commitments or comments on the concerns, but acknowledged MCK’s position and said he was open to continuing to meet with the Council.
Despite growing support for the Conservatives, Jeffrey Diabo said he remains unconvinced that the party will manage to gain any real power anytime soon.
“As far as their party, I really don’t see any influence of substance,” he said. “Their influence is very limited. As far as him having any type of policy effect, I’m not confident that’s going to happen.”
He said that the Council table is continuing to coordinate with more provincial and federal leaders, to continue making clear Kahnawake’s stance on major political issues.
“They’re all interested in talking more, and from our perspective, it’s about building relationships,” he said.
“We have our own nation, and we want to make them aware of that, so that when we come forward and we talk with very solid stats it’s not surprising to them, they know where we’re coming from.”
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Council chiefs plan to continue meeting with political leaders, especially in surrounding municipalities, to address Kahnawake’s political priorities in the coming months.
