Canada’s Parti Québécois (PQ) is projected to have won enough seats in Quebec’s provincial election to form a minority government, though the separatists will need other parties’ support to achieve their aims – such as a new public vote on independence.
It marks the first time the PQ has been in power since 2014, with Paul St-Pierre Plamondon set to become the province’s new leader.
In his victory speech, St-Pierre Plamondon again raised his independence plans but vowed to be “the premier of everyone in Quebec”.
The result could prove a fresh test for Prime Minister Mark Carney, also setting up confrontations with Québec over issues like immigration and the monarchy.
In its effort to achieve independence, the PQ has pledged to hold a referendum on separating from the rest of Canada.
The majority French-speaking province has held other votes on this, in 1980 and 1995. On both occasions, the independence movement was defeated. Polls indicate only about 30% of Quebecers back such a move this time.
St-Pierre Plamondon has previously said the vote would occur after President Donald Trump is out of office south of the border in the United States, explaining that would require “conditions that allow for an informed and serene debate”. The US and Canada are in a trade war as a result of Trump’s programme of tariffs.
In his victory speech after Monday’s election results, St-Pierre Plamondon said of the potential referendum: “Our national destiny will be achieved one day.”
Carney told reporters on Tuesday that he spoke with Quebec’s new premier-designate and congratulated him on his win.
Asked about the prospect of a referendum, the prime minister said he is focused on current challenges facing Canada, not those “a few years down the road”.
The PQ leader will need to secure the support of rival parties to get the vote he wants, potentially from Québec Solidaire, a left-leaning sovereigntist party that won nine seats.
Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard said his party, which won 40 seats, is prepared to support the PQ on a number of issues, but “there is no way we will collaborate on a potential referendum”.
Despite winning the most amount of seats of any party, the PQ’s share of the popular vote is only 28%.
