The path to safeguarding Quebec’s language and culture is by holding a third independence referendum, says Opposition Parti Quebecois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon vowed on April 14 that his party would hold such a vote if he were to win the provincial election in 2026.
Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon told the PQ’s national council during a two-day event in Drummondville that Quebec’s position in Canada is declining, calling Ottawa an “existential threat.”
He accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of ignoring the national constitution and repeatedly overstepping his authority. He said the federal government has intruded in provincial affairs on a range of matters, including housing and health care.
“One thing is certain,” he told roughly 500 party members in a speech. “Our moment will arrive sooner than we think—meaning not at some long-term, idealized date, but in a few years, before the end of the decade. History is asking us the question. Our destiny is calling.”
While his sentiments were applauded by the party faithful, his political rivals were critical of his speech.
Stephane Gobeil, an adviser to Premier François Legault, described the PQ leader’s assumption of victory in the 2026 election as “either arrogance or poorly controlled euphoria,” in a social media post on April 14. Premier Legault leads the Coalition Avenir Québec party.
Interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay also took to social media to criticize Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon’s call for a third referendum.
“By asserting that Quebecers have the choice of the status quo or ‘disappearance,’ he presents us with a false dilemma,” he said in an X post on April 14. “Quebec has been making its place in Canada for over 150 years now. We are stronger, together. Our economic strength remains the best guarantee of the strength of our French-speaking Quebec nation.”
Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon’s speech included dystopian elements and several dire predictions, including that Canada has “a dark future in store” for Quebec.
“It’s a regime that only wants to crush those who refuse to assimilate,” he said.
Referencing the failed 1980 and 1995 referendums, he said Quebec cannot risk another loss.
“Quebecers need to know our next rendezvous with history will probably be our ultimate chance to ensure the longevity of our language and culture.”
The 1995 sovereignty referendum was a much closer vote than the first one, with 50.58 percent voting against becoming a sovereign nation and 49.42 percent voting in favour.
Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon shared both his speech and his confidence on social media over the weekend.
“We will indeed experience the holding of a third referendum on the independence of Quebec. It is now obvious,” he wrote in an April 14 post. “Therefore, we have the duty to form the largest coalition for YES that Quebec will ever know and the duty to win.”
