Last Oct. 30, on the 30th anniversary of the 1995 referendum , I was invited — along with about 20 representatives of the sovereigntist and federalist camps — to appear on Radio-Canada’s public affairs program 24/60.

While waiting backstage, I had pleasant conversations with several guests from both sides, including former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe and former Parti Québécois MNAs Louise Beaudoin and Véronique Hivon.

On that otherwise cordial evening, however, there was one exception. When I went to shake hands with the current Parti Québécois leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon (often referred to as PSPP), he took my hand reluctantly.

“Bonjour, ça va bien?” I asked.

St-Pierre Plamondon did not reply, nor did he look at me.

I was taken aback by the coldness — by the hostility —

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