Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has stated that a sovereignty referendum will not be held while U.S. President Donald Trump remains in office, with Trump’s term ending on Jan. 20, 2029. St-Pierre Plamondon clarified that his party’s focus, if they win the upcoming election, will be on addressing issues created by the current Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government. He emphasized that the decision is not a deviation from their previous stance, as they have always planned for a referendum within the first four years.
The announcement by St-Pierre Plamondon comes amidst concerns over potential U.S. tariffs that could impact the Quebec economy. Poll analyst Philippe Fournier noted that there is uncertainty leading up to the election, with the PQ holding a slight lead over the Quebec Liberal Party in polls. Most voters are currently not in favor of another referendum due to various uncertainties, including those related to the U.S. administration.
Opposition parties, including the Conservative Party of Quebec and the Quebec Liberal Party, criticized St-Pierre Plamondon’s decision to postpone the referendum, with accusations of inconsistency and irresponsibility. Despite the criticism, St-Pierre Plamondon maintains that a referendum will be held within the first mandate of a PQ government, aiming to present a clear and comprehensive campaign on all issues.
Analysts suggest that St-Pierre Plamondon’s strategy may resonate with voters who are hesitant about a referendum but seek a change in leadership. However, the effectiveness of this approach remains uncertain. St-Pierre Plamondon highlighted the need to avoid the influence of American politics on the referendum debate.
