Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has stated that a sovereignty referendum will not be held while U.S. President Donald Trump is in office. This decision was announced just over a week before the Quebec election campaign begins, with Trump’s term ending on Jan. 20, 2029. St-Pierre Plamondon clarified that if his party secures a majority in the Oct. 5 election, he would have more than a year and a half to conduct the referendum within his first mandate.
St-Pierre Plamondon emphasized that the current focus is on addressing issues left by the incumbent Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government, rather than pushing for a referendum immediately. The decision not to proceed with a referendum at this time has been influenced by the political landscape, including concerns over impending U.S. tariffs and global uncertainty.
Poll analyst Philippe Fournier noted that there is uncertainty leading up to the election, with the Parti Québécois slightly ahead of the Quebec Liberal Party in opinion polls. Despite this, most voters are not in favor of another referendum in the near future. Fournier suggested that St-Pierre Plamondon’s announcement was an attempt to reassure voters amid ongoing economic challenges.
Opposition parties, including the Conservative Party of Quebec and the Quebec Liberal Party, criticized the PQ leader for his referendum stance. They questioned the consistency of his position, with some labeling him a “referendum weather vane.” The postponement of the referendum was met with mixed reactions, with varying opinions on the clarity and feasibility of the PQ’s intentions.
St-Pierre Plamondon maintained that a referendum would still be pursued within the party’s first mandate, despite the current delay. The focus now is on running a comprehensive campaign addressing various issues to appeal to voters. However, the effectiveness of this strategy remains uncertain, particularly in appealing to nationalist voters who may seek a change in leadership without immediate referendum plans.