The leader of the Parti Québécois, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, announced on Tuesday that the party will refrain from holding a referendum as long as U.S. President Donald Trump remains in office. St-Pierre Plamondon emphasized the importance of avoiding the influence of American politics on Quebec’s future discussions.
He stated that a significant matter like Quebec’s political destiny requires a conducive environment for a well-informed and peaceful deliberation. St-Pierre Plamondon highlighted the challenges that the next government will face and decided to eliminate any speculation about a referendum during Trump’s second term, which ends in January 2029.
If elected, St-Pierre Plamondon plans to engage with Quebecers on the independence issue in his first term but only after Trump’s departure from office. This announcement precedes the upcoming Quebec provincial election scheduled for October 5.
The Quebec Liberal Party Leader, Charles Milliard, criticized the delay in the referendum announcement as a sign of weakness in the separatist movement. He accused the Parti Québécois of trying to manipulate public opinion by vacillating on the issue.
Christine Fréchette, the Premier of Quebec and leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, expressed concern over the uncertainty created by St-Pierre Plamondon’s decision. She labeled the announcement as “irresponsible” given the impending American tariffs on Canada, emphasizing the need for stability.
While the Conservative Party of Quebec leader, Éric Duhaime, questioned the Parti Québécois’s credibility in light of potential changes in U.S. administration, the party maintains a lead in the polls according to 338Canada’s analysis, surpassing the Quebec Liberal Party and the Coalition Avenir Québec in overall voting intentions.