The leader of the Parti Québécois, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, revealed on Tuesday that the party will refrain from holding a referendum while Donald Trump serves as the President of the United States. St-Pierre Plamondon expressed his intention to prevent the Quebec political future discussion from being influenced by American political fluctuations.
Stressing the importance of a well-informed and calm debate on Quebec’s political fate, St-Pierre Plamondon emphasized that the upcoming government will already encounter numerous challenges without the need for a referendum. He explicitly stated that the party will not consider initiating a referendum until after the completion of Trump’s second term, which concludes on January 20, 2029.
Although St-Pierre Plamondon assured consultation with Quebec residents regarding independence during his initial term if elected, he clarified that any referendum would only occur post-Trump’s departure from office. This declaration precedes the imminent launch of the Quebec provincial election campaign, with voting scheduled for October 5.
The decision has sparked various responses from political figures, with Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard criticizing the postponement as a manipulative tactic and questioning the PQ’s commitment to independence. Coalition Avenir Québec’s Premier, Christine Fréchette, labeled the announcement as irresponsible, particularly amidst escalating American tariffs on Canada.
As the PQ maintains a lead in the polls, the party’s stance has drawn scrutiny from Eric Duhaime, the leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec, who raised concerns about the party’s consistency in pursuing independence. Despite the ongoing political discourse, the Parti Québécois remains ahead in overall voting intentions according to the latest reports.
