A Separatist Party Won The Election In The Canadian Province Of Quebec
- 6.10.2026, 11:54
Its leader promised to hold a referendum on independence with a specific date.
The separatist Parti Québécois won the election in the Canadian province. The political party secured 59 of the 127 seats in the region’s legislative assembly and may form a minority government, according to The New York Times. During the election campaign, party leader Paul Saint-Pierre Plamond promised to hold a referendum on Quebec’s independence after Donald Trump leaves office as U.S. president in 2029.
Previous party leaders avoided setting specific deadlines so as not to lose voter support. Currently, about 30% of surveyed residents of the province support the idea of Quebec independence, which is one of the lowest figures in recent decades. Meanwhile, party supporters celebrated their election victory by chanting the slogan “Quebec is a country!” The separatist party has already held two referendums on Quebec’s independence—in 1980 and 1995. On both occasions, a majority of residents voted against secession from Canada. However, in the second instance, the number of supporters of unity dropped to 50.58%.
As the NYT notes, the issue of Quebec’s independence held little interest for voters during the election campaign. Residents of the province were more concerned about the rising cost of living, problems with the healthcare system, a shortage of affordable housing, and trade disputes between Canada and the U.S. Since the Parti Québécois failed to secure a majority in the provincial legislature, this could complicate efforts to hold a new referendum on independence, the NYT reports.
Meanwhile, in another Canadian province—Alberta—an advisory referendum on independence will be held in two weeks. In this region in western Canada, which is rich in oil, gas, and coal, dissatisfaction with Ottawa’s policies has been building for a long time, particularly regarding the development of natural resources. Supporters of secession believe that Alberta’s independence would allow for more efficient management of resources and preserve the province’s wealth without having to share it with the federal government. Along with oil and gas production, agriculture and tourism are key sectors of the local economy.