Separatist party projected to win Quebec election, adding new test to Canada's unity
The Parti Québécois, which secured a minority, has vowed to hold an independence referendum in the years to come.
Separatist party projected to win Quebec election, adding new test to Canada's unity
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon was elected as Quebec's new premier on Monday.
Canadian media projects that the sovereigntist Parti Québécois (PQ) will win a minority in Monday's provincial election in Quebec, making Paul St-Pierre Plamondon the next premier.
It would be the first time the PQ has held power since 2014. The result could become a test for Prime Minister Mark Carney, potentially leading to clashes with Quebec over matters such as immigration and the monarchy.
The party has also promised to hold a referendum on Quebec's independence, echoing an upcoming vote in the province of Alberta later this month.
The mostly French-speaking province has already held referendums on the issue in 1980 and 1995. Polls suggest only 30% of Quebecers support such a move.
Plamondon has said that the vote would take place after US President Donald Trump leaves office.
Carney could end up dealing with two unity crises in different parts of the country, depending on the result of the separation vote in Alberta. Trump is expected to leave office in about two years, meaning that if Plamondon follows through on his pledge, a third independence referendum would likely be held in 2029 or 2030.
Beyond sovereignty, Plamondon has made clear that he is prepared to confront Ottawa if he believes it is intruding into provincial matters.
During the campaign, he said he would pressure Ottawa on issues such as immigration, and vowed to oppose any increases ordered by the Carney government.
He also promised to "abolish the monarchy in Quebec" and redirect money spent on its institutions toward social services.
"We are going to do what we have to do to get the monarchy out of Quebec, repatriate those funds, and send them to social causes," he told reporters in late September.
For instance, Plamondon proposed cutting funding for Quebec's lieutenant-governor's office - which represents King Charles III in the province - saying he would use the money instead to address homelessness.
Plamondon was among the Quebec lawmakers who refused to swear allegiance to the King in 2022, helping lead to a provincial law that now makes the oath of allegiance optional.
His plan to end financial support for the lieutenant-governor's office is likely to face major legal challenges, given the monarchy's central place in Canada's constitution.
Such a move would also cast doubt on future Quebec laws, since one of the lieutenant-governor's main duties is to grant royal assent to new legislation.
When asked about these obstacles, Plamondon has said he is prepared for a legal fight with the federal government.
The Parti Québécois' success on Monday is partly the result of voter frustration with the previous Coalition Avenir Québec government.
Coalition Avenir Québec made protecting Quebec's identity and language a central theme during its eight years in office, but longtime leader François Legault eventually lost substantial support among voters.
Attempts to revive the party by replacing Legault with a new leader, outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette, did not succeed.
Fréchette conceded her own re-election race in Trois-Rivières shortly before 22:00 local time. In a speech, she said she would work with St-Pierre Plamondon on the transition.
"Governing Quebec is the greatest honour I have ever had," she said. "I have Quebec tattooed on my heart."
The Quebec Liberal Party won the second-most seats, while the Quebec Conservative Party gained seats.
Prime Minister Carney, who leads the federal Liberal party, remains popular in Quebec, although support for him had recently fallen as US President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs on Canada in August after trade talks broke down.
Quebec is among the provinces hardest hit by the latest US tariffs, with experts at global forecasting firm Oxford Economics estimating a C$2bn blow for the province.
Carney congratulated Plamondon on his victory late on Monday and pledged to work with the party.
"Building a stronger Québec is core to our mission of building a stronger Canada," he said in a post on social media. "I look forward to working with you to support Québec's businesses and workers impacted by tariffs, create more good jobs, work to end homelessness, and get more homes built across Québec."