France reinstates Quebec independence ‘non-interference, non-indifference’ policy

It's official: the 'ni-ni' policy is back.

Several media outlets are reporting that France's president François Hollande has re-instituted the policy of 'non-interference, non-indifference' when it comes to Quebec independence. The doctrine, first introduced in 1977, essentially decrees that France will remain a neutral party during any future Quebec referendum and accept any outcome.

The announcement came at press conference in Paris, after a short meeting between Hollande and Quebec Premier Pauline Marois.

"This formula has been in place for more than 30 years," Hollande said at the conference according to the Globe and Mail.

"It has been carried out by all the successive [French] governments, so this formula still prevails today. I am for continuity."

[ Related: Parti Quebecois election campaign promises crumbling under minority government ]

The Quebec/French relationship has been a sensitive issue on both sides of the Atlantic for decades.

In 1967, Ottawa was left reeling after French president Charles de Gaulle used the phrase "Vive le Québec libre" (in English: "Long live free Quebec") in a speech to a Montreal audience. The quote was interpreted, by many in Canada, as support for Quebec independence.

In 2009, former president Nicolas Sarkozy angered separatists when he said that he opposed "sectarianism" and "self-confinement."

"Non-interference, non-indifference, honestly, is not my thing," Sarkozy said according to the Montreal Gazette.

Hollande's proclamation, on Monday, swings the pendulum back in favour of the separatists.

[ More Political Points: Iran's state-owned Press TV continues its attacks on Canada's human rights record ]

In a July 2012 column for Macleans, Paul Wells notes that Hollande's stance is very important to Marois' Parti Quebecois:

With the reinstatement of the 'ni-ni' policy, it looks as if premier Marois has accomplished step one in her goal towards Quebec independence.