The Parti Québécois has announced that they will refrain from organizing a referendum while Donald Trump is in office as the U.S. President, as confirmed by party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon on Tuesday. St-Pierre Plamondon emphasized the importance of ensuring that the discussion on Quebec’s political future is not influenced by American politics’ fluctuations. He underscored the need for a conducive environment for a well-informed and composed debate on such a critical matter.
The PQ leader articulated that the upcoming government would encounter numerous challenges without the necessity of a referendum. By explicitly ruling out the possibility of holding a referendum before the conclusion of Trump’s second term on January 20, 2029, St-Pierre Plamondon aimed to dispel concerns that the timing might not be propitious due to Trump’s presidency.
In the event of his election, St-Pierre Plamondon intends to engage with Quebec residents regarding independence but only after Trump’s departure from office. This declaration comes shortly before the official launch of the Quebec provincial election campaign, with voting scheduled for October 5.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney is engaged in sensitive and intense negotiations to avert anticipated American tariffs that could impact Canadian businesses. The discussions aim to establish a mutually acceptable agreement before the looming deadline, with Carney planning to converse with his American counterpart to facilitate a favorable resolution.
In a strategic move to appeal to anglophone voters, the separatist leader has shifted focus by reaching out to this demographic, traditionally supportive of the Liberal party. St-Pierre Plamondon highlighted shared concerns across linguistic divides, including challenges related to the cost of living, housing affordability, and deficiencies in education and healthcare services.
Following the PQ’s announcement, Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard criticized the deferral of the referendum, interpreting it as a sign of the separatist movement’s weakening position and an attempt to manipulate public sentiment. Despite this, a recent poll revealed that only a small percentage of respondents expressed definitive support for independence in the current scenario.
Notwithstanding, the Parti Québécois is leading in the polls, surpassing the Quebec Liberal Party and the incumbent Coalition Avenir Québec in overall voting intentions, as indicated by political aggregator 338Canada. The upcoming election is poised to be a closely watched event, with evolving dynamics and shifting voter preferences shaping the political landscape.
