Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has indicated that a sovereignty referendum will not be pursued for now, with the condition being the departure of U.S. President Donald Trump from office on January 20, 2029. This decision was communicated just before Quebec’s election campaign kick-off, with St-Pierre Plamondon emphasizing that the focus will be on addressing issues created by the current Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government.
St-Pierre Plamondon’s move to delay a referendum has been seen as an attempt to address concerns surrounding potential U.S. tariffs, following the adverse impact of previous tariffs on Quebec’s economy. Poll analyst Philippe Fournier noted that there is uncertainty surrounding the upcoming provincial campaign, with the Parti Québécois slightly ahead of the Quebec Liberal Party in opinion polls. Despite this, most voters are not in favor of an immediate referendum.
Critics, including Éric Duhaime of the Conservative Party of Quebec, have criticized St-Pierre Plamondon’s decision, labeling him a “referendum weather vane” and questioning the reliability of his stance on independence. Other opposition leaders, such as Charles Milliard of the Quebec Liberal Party, have raised concerns about the PQ’s lack of clarity regarding its intentions.
While the announcement has drawn criticism from various quarters, St-Pierre Plamondon remains firm on the PQ’s commitment to holding a referendum within its first mandate, aiming for a campaign that is comprehensive and definitive on all fronts. Poll analyst Fournier suggested that this strategy might resonate with certain voter segments but raised doubts about its overall effectiveness.