Quebec election win for separatists could crimp Carney's response to Trump
SPY•The separatist Parti Quebecois won Quebec’s election with 59 of 127 seats and 27.9% of the vote, and its leader has promised an independence referendum after Trump leaves office. The result could increase tensions with Ottawa as Prime Minister Mark Carney works to address U.S. tariffs.
1. PQ wins minority government
Provisional results showed the Parti Quebecois, led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, won 59 seats in Quebec’s 127-seat assembly, five short of a majority. The party took 27.9% of the vote, the lowest share ever won by a Quebec election victor, while the Coalition Avenir Quebec lost all 79 of its seats.
2. Referendum faces hurdles
Plamondon has promised a referendum on independence after U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office, but Quebec’s legislature must approve a vote and the PQ will need opposition support. Previous independence referendums in 1980 and 1995 failed; polls put support for breaking with Canada at 30%, near record lows.
3. Tensions with Ottawa
The result could complicate Carney’s efforts to maintain national unity as he responds to Trump’s tariffs. The PQ plans to resist federal efforts to boost immigration, cut Quebec’s ties to the British monarchy and block a proposed high-speed rail link with Ontario. Carney congratulated Plamondon and said he looked forward to working with him to support Quebec businesses and workers affected by tariffs.
