Aug 18, 2026 6:41 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur with files from The Canadian Press

Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says his party would not hold a referendum on Quebec sovereignty while Donald Trump remains president of the United States.
St-Pierre Plamondon says the party still intends to hold a referendum on whether Quebec should separate from Canada during its first mandate if elected. However, he says such a crucial decision about Quebec’s future requires a clear and calm debate.
He says the referendum debate should not be disrupted by American politics or unexpected announcements from the U.S. president. According to St-Pierre Plamondon, the unpredictable nature of the Trump administration could negatively affect both the referendum process and the quality of the debate over Quebec’s future.
The Parti Québécois leader is currently ahead in several public opinion polls, with Quebec’s next general election required to be held before October 5, 2026.


