The leader of Quebec's separatist party, the Parti Québécois (PQ), announced Tuesday that any referendum on independence from Canada would be delayed until Donald Trump is no longer the U.S. president. PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon stated that a PQ government would still hold a referendum during its first term, but not before January 20, 2029, the end of Trump's potential presidential term.
St-Pierre Plamondon explained that a decision as significant as Quebec's future requires a debate free from the potential disruptions of American politics. He expressed concern that "the upheavals of American politics, nor by the outbursts of an unpredictable president, nor by fear campaigns" could negatively impact the process and the quality of the discussion on national identity.
The separatist leader also pointed to Trump's past actions, including tariffs imposed on Canadian goods and rhetoric about making Canada the 51st U.S. state, as complicating the case for Quebec sovereignty. These actions have reportedly fueled Canadian nationalism and led some French-speaking Quebecers to view remaining part of Canada as a more secure option.
Separatist sentiment has also been noted in Alberta, where a referendum on leaving Canada is scheduled for October 19. However, the notes suggest that separatist referendums in both provinces would face challenges, with Trump's policies and statements potentially strengthening the argument for remaining within Canada.
Quebec has a history of debating sovereignty, with voters having rejected independence twice before. The most recent referendum in 1995 saw sovereignty defeated by a narrow margin. The province, which is predominantly French-speaking, already possesses significant autonomy, including its own income tax collection, immigration policies favoring French speakers, and laws prioritizing French in public life.
The Parti Québécois, founded in the 1960s, has long advocated for Quebec's independence. The party has previously governed Quebec without holding a referendum, including from 2012 to 2014.
The question of Quebec's identity has been a point of contention since the 1760s, following the British conquest of New France.