The Parti Québécois has announced that they will refrain from organizing a referendum while Donald Trump is serving as the President of the United States, stated 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 fluctuation.
He asserted that the upcoming government will encounter numerous challenges without needing to initiate a referendum during Trump’s term. To eliminate concerns about the timing due to Trump, St-Pierre Plamondon confirmed that there will be no referendum held until the conclusion of Trump’s second term in 2029.
If elected, St-Pierre Plamondon intends to engage with Quebec residents regarding independence but only after Trump’s departure from office. This announcement comes just ahead of the Quebec provincial election campaign launch, with voting scheduled for October 5.
Meanwhile, ongoing negotiations are being closely watched across Canada to avert impending American tariffs. Prime Minister Mark Carney described the discussions as delicate and intense, with plans to engage with his American counterpart before the imminent tariff deadline.
In response to the PQ’s decision, Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard criticized the postponement, viewing it as a sign of weakness in advocating for Quebec’s separation. He accused the PQ of attempting to manipulate public opinion by sending mixed messages.
Christine Fréchette, Premier of Quebec and leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, labeled the announcement as irresponsible, particularly amidst the looming threat of increased American tariffs. She emphasized the importance of stability for Quebec.
Despite criticisms, the Parti Québécois maintains a lead in the polls according to the 338Canada political aggregator, surpassing the Quebec Liberal Party and the ruling Coalition Avenir Québec in overall voting intentions.
