Via Club Pays (OUI Québec) on Google Maps

Joséphine Savard

Arts & Culture Correspondent 

On March 13th of 2026, Club Pays opened in the St-Hubert Plaza. Proclaimed the first separatist café in Québec, its branding is evident. Drinkers of classic Americanos will find themselves ordering a renamed Québecano. And, if you want to accompany your coffee with a sweet treat, you’ll have to order a BiscOUIt! Posters all around present slogans, such as  “Notre vrai pays c’est le Québec” and “Libres chez nous!” This space is reminiscent of the last wave of separatism that dates back to the end of the 20th century. 

With all of the café’s profits reinvested into the sovereignty movement, Club Pays is a project born from the Organisations unies pour l’indépendance (OUI Québec). This non-partisan civil organisation aims to renew the separatist movement by mobilizing new generations. Club Pays contributes to this goal by acting as a gathering space, where invigorated discussions create hope and joy around the idea of a potentially independent Québec. 

As well as being the headquarters to the sovereignty movement, the café is also meant to serve as a hosting space for discussions around Québécois culture. Such discussions are encouraged through different events, like the launch party on opening day. Emerging artists performed on a small stage following a speech held by the president of OUI Québec (Camille Goyette-Gingras), during which she shared the café’s mission. 

Another event took place less than a week after the opening, where the General Manager of the Regroupement des festivals artistiques indépendants (REFRAIN) hosted a discussion on how Québécois culture can survive in a world where multinationals dominate the entertainment industry. Club Pays also hosts workshops, such as a poetry writing and an open-mic night which took place on March 21st, as well as a textile arts workshop on April 2nd. 

Club Pays also brings youth closer to the province’s culture. Newer generations have harshly been criticized for not showing interest in Québec’s culture. Indeed, a study in 2024 performed by the Institut de la statistique du Québec shows that more individuals aged 15 to 29 are less interested in radio and television media than previous generations. 

However, through the emergence of smaller organizations like the OUI Québec in colleges and universities, it is evident that disinterest in culture might not be what the younger generations are experiencing. Rather, the study reveals that the disinterest is in traditional media, not in culture as a whole. In fact, a shift in media consumption patterns reveals that younger generations will engage more with culture if it is marketed towards them. 

In an interview delivered by Camille Goyette-Gingras, following a survey which revealed that 56% of Québec youth aged 18 to 34 supported the independence of the province, she states that the younger generation is increasingly interested in their local culture. She highlights how youth is gathering in festivals throughout the province for emerging Québécois artists. These festivals include Osheaga, Les Francouvertes, Piknik Électronik, les Francos, among others. Goyette-Gingras also discusses the multiple Québec meme pages which exist on Instagram and TikTok, creating a community around humorous discussions of the province. 

The way in which youth relies on community to engage with culture is exactly why the minds behind Club Pays felt an urge to open the space. To them, creating a third space to grow community was the next step in encouraging the survival of local culture. 

“Club Pays, amongst other similar manifestations of a new wave in Québécois culture, shares an overarching message: everyone is welcome. “

To them, sovereignty is not a question of ethnicity, of gender, or of political affliliation. It is not a question of where you come from, or what you believe in–it is a question of hope for a better future. You’ll hear it over and over again: Club Pays is a space for everyone. 
Future events hosted by Club Pays, highlighting local culture and promoting casual discussion, are slowly being announced on their social media platforms, as well as on the OUI Québec website.