In short
- Canadian media project the separatist Parti Québécois will take a minority win in Monday’s provincial election in Quebec, making Paul St-Pierre Plamondon the incoming premier.
- The Parti Québécois had been out of power in Quebec since 2014.
- Quebec held referendums on sovereignty in 1980 and 1995, and polls indicate only 30% of Quebecers back a new one.
- Oxford Economics projects the latest US tariffs will cost Quebec C$2bn.
- Plamondon has said an independence referendum would take place after US President Donald Trump leaves office, which would point to 2029 or 2030.
Canadian media project the separatist Parti Québécois will take a minority win in Monday’s provincial election in Quebec, making Paul St-Pierre Plamondon the incoming premier. It is the first time the PQ has held power in the province since 2014, and the result could set up confrontations with Prime Minister Mark Carney over immigration and the monarchy.
Who is Quebec’s incoming premier?
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is projected to become premier after Canadian media called a minority win for his Parti Québécois. He has said he is willing to fight Ottawa if it is seen as overstepping provincial interests, and during the campaign he vowed to oppose any immigration increases mandated by the Carney government.
Would Quebec hold another independence referendum?
The Parti Québécois has pledged to hold a referendum on independence. Plamondon has said that vote would take place after US President Donald Trump leaves office; Trump is due to leave in roughly two years, which would put a third sovereignty vote in 2029 or 2030 if the pledge is kept. Quebec held referendums on the question in 1980 and 1995, and polls indicate only 30% of Quebecers back such a move. Plamondon could also face a parallel test in Alberta, where a vote is under way on whether to hold a referendum.
What does the PQ want to do about the monarchy?
Plamondon has pledged to “abolish the monarchy in Quebec” and reroute money spent on its institutions to social services. He has suggested defunding the office of Quebec’s lieutenant-governor, which represents King Charles III in the province, and spending the money to tackle homelessness. “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. The plan is likely to face significant legal challenges, because the monarchy sits at the centre of Canada’s constitution and the lieutenant-governor gives royal assent to new legislation. Plamondon was among Quebec lawmakers who refused to pledge allegiance to the King in 2022, paving the way for a provincial law making the oath optional.
How did the other parties perform?
Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette conceded her own re-election race in Trois-Rivières shortly before 22:00 local time and 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 secured the second-most seats, while the Quebec Conservative Party gained seats. The PQ’s win followed eight years of Coalition Avenir Québec government; longtime leader François Legault lost significant support among voters, and replacing him with Fréchette failed to revive the party. Elsewhere, Brazil’s presidential election went to a run-off, with Flávio Bolsonaro leading Lula.
What does the result mean for Mark Carney?
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who leads the federal Liberal Party, remains popular in Quebec, though support for him had recently dipped after US President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs on Canada in August following a breakdown in trade talks. Quebec is among the hardest hit by the tariffs, with Oxford Economics projecting a C$2bn blow for the province. Carney congratulated Plamondon late on Monday: “Building a stronger Québec is core to our mission of building a stronger Canada.” He said he would work with Plamondon on tariffs, jobs, homelessness and housing. Depending on the outcome of the Alberta vote, Carney could find himself managing unity pressures in two parts of the country.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Quebec provincial election?
Canadian media project the separatist Parti Québécois won a minority, making Paul St-Pierre Plamondon the incoming premier. It is the first time the PQ has held power in Quebec since 2014.
Will Quebec hold another independence referendum?
The Parti Québécois has pledged to hold one. Plamondon says the vote would come after US President Donald Trump leaves office, which would point to 2029 or 2030, and polls indicate only 30% of Quebecers support the idea.
What does the Parti Québécois want to do about the monarchy in Quebec?
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has pledged to abolish the monarchy in Quebec and to defund the lieutenant-governor’s office, redirecting the money to social services, a plan likely to face significant legal challenges.
Who is Quebec’s outgoing premier?
Christine Fréchette, who replaced longtime Coalition Avenir Québec leader François Legault, conceded her own re-election race in Trois-Rivières and said she would work with St-Pierre Plamondon on the transition.
With reporting from BBC News.
Stock image, not from the events described. Globe World — Jo%E3o%20Silas / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)