Quebec separatist leader says no independence referendum until Trump leaves office

Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has announced a delay in any referendum on independence for Quebec from Canada, stating he will not initiate such a vote until U.S. President Donald Trump steps down. Although his party is currently out of power, they could potentially win Quebec's upcoming election, set for before October 5, 2026.

Plamondon emphasized that a referendum on Quebec's future should not be influenced by political upheavals or the unpredictable actions of an American leader. He stressed the need for a clear and calm debate on the matter. The leader highlighted how Trump's policies, such as imposing tariffs on Canada and suggesting it become the 51st U.S. state, have complicated the separatist cause in Quebec, fostering a stronger sense of nationalism among French-speaking Quebecers and prompting them to view remaining part of Canada as a more secure option.

Additionally, separatist sentiment has emerged in Alberta, where voters will have the chance on October 19 to vote on steps toward a binding referendum on leaving Canada. Plamondon noted that separatist referendums in both Quebec and Alberta currently face significant challenges, with Trump's tariffs and his rhetoric about the 51st state bolstering the argument for Quebec and Alberta to stay within Canada.

The last sovereignty referendum in Quebec occurred in 1995, with voters rejecting independence by a narrow margin.