The Parti Québécois has declared that they will refrain from organizing a referendum while U.S. President Donald Trump is in office, as stated by party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon on Tuesday. St-Pierre Plamondon emphasized the importance of avoiding interference from American politics in discussions about Quebec’s political future. He highlighted the need for a conducive environment for a well-informed and composed debate on such a critical issue.
St-Pierre Plamondon emphasized that the upcoming government will encounter significant challenges without the need for a referendum. To alleviate concerns about the timing of discussions regarding Quebec’s future due to Trump’s presidency, he confirmed that there will be no referendum before the conclusion of Trump’s second term in 2029.
The party leader expressed his intention to seek input from Quebecers on independence once Trump exits office if he wins the election. This announcement preceded the imminent launch of the Quebec provincial election campaign, scheduled for October 5.
In response to the PQ’s decision, Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard characterized the postponement as a reflection of the weak appeal of Quebec’s separation from Canada. He criticized the move as an attempt to manipulate public sentiment, describing the PQ’s stance as contradictory.
Christine Fréchette, Quebec’s premier and leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, criticized St-Pierre Plamondon’s proposal to delay the referendum, citing increased uncertainty over a prolonged period. She deemed the announcement irresponsible, particularly given the impending implementation of high American tariffs on Canada.
Leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec, Éric Duhaime, questioned the PQ’s reliability in the event of another protectionist U.S. administration, highlighting concerns about abrupt policy shifts close to elections. Despite this, the Parti Québécois maintains a lead in the polls, according to data from the political aggregator 338Canada, surpassing both the Quebec Liberal Party and the governing Coalition Avenir Québec.