Separatist Parti Québécois wins Quebec, but falls short of a majority
Quebec voters elected the Parti Québécois on Monday, and its leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, will be the next premier. The party wants Quebec to leave Canada. But it won about 59 of 127 seats, short of the 64 needed for a majority, so it needs help to call a vote on independence.
Quebec has a separatist government again. The Parti Québécois won Monday's provincial election, and its leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, will become premier.
But voters did not hand him full control. The PQ was leading or elected in 59 of the 127 seats as of early Tuesday, short of the 64 needed for a majority, The Globe and Mail reported. With 97% of polls reporting, the party was on track for less than 30% of the popular vote. The Globe said that would be the lowest share ever for a Quebec government.
The governing Coalition Avenir Québec, in power for eight years, was wiped out. It was projected to win no seats, and leader Christine Fréchette lost her own riding. The Liberals were projected to win 40 seats and become the official Opposition. The Conservatives under Éric Duhaime were projected to win 19, entering the legislature in force for the first time. Québec solidaire was projected to win nine, CityNews reported.
St-Pierre Plamondon struck a careful tone. "Voters have asked us to work together," he told about 1,000 supporters in Montreal, the Montreal Gazette reported. He promised a fall economic update to help people with the cost of living, and said his budget would borrow ideas from other parties.
He also spoke about independence. "We simply want to exist as a nation and make our own decisions," he said. He has promised a referendum only after President Donald Trump leaves office in 2029. The PQ estimates a vote would cost about $130 million.
That plan now faces hurdles. The Liberals and Conservatives both oppose a referendum and have vowed to block one. "On the sovereignty crisis, we won't be collaborating," Liberal leader Charles Milliard said. Polls show only about 30% of Quebecers back independence, the Globe reported.
Some background: Quebec voted on leaving Canada in 1980 and 1995. Independence won 40% and 49% support. The PQ last governed in 2014. In 2022, it won just three seats.
Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated the premier-designate on X. He said he wants to work together to help Quebec businesses and workers hurt by tariffs.
What we know: The PQ will govern with a minority, and the CAQ was shut out.
What we don't: Final seat totals, and whether any party will help the PQ call a referendum.
Where outlets agree The Globe and Mail and CityNews both report that the PQ won about 59 of 127 seats, short of the 64 needed for a majority.
Where they differ St-Pierre Plamondon says Quebec should decide its future in a referendum, while the Liberals and Conservatives vow to block any such vote.