Kathmandu— Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, head of Quebec’s secessionist Parti Québécois (PQ), announced Tuesday that his party will not pursue an independence referendum while Donald Trump is president of the United States. He stated that the debate over Quebec's independence requires a calm environment, which he believes is impossible given the current unpredictability of American politics and the potential for fear-mongering campaigns. The PQ hopes to gain seats in the upcoming provincial election, with polls currently showing them leading other parties, but any referendum would be delayed until after Trump’s second term ends in January 2029.

US-Canada Tensions Fueling Decision

St-Pierre Plamondon explained that the unpredictability of the American administration could negatively impact both the process and quality of debate surrounding Quebec's future as a nation. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump’s policies have strained relations with Canada, including repeated suggestions of incorporating Canada as the 51st US state and the imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods. Negotiations were ongoing Tuesday to avert the latest tariff threat, which would impose a 50 percent tax on various imports starting Wednesday.

Nationalism and Economic Considerations

The growing friction between the US and Canada has sparked a surge in Canadian nationalism, with citizens expressing anger at US policies. There is also speculation that the United States might encourage secessionist movements in provinces like Alberta, where Premier Danielle Smith holds significant influence. However, experts suggest that maintaining economic ties with Canada may become more attractive to Quebec residents given the instability caused by the US.

Current Support for Independence

Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, noted that triggering a referendum while Trump is still in office would be particularly risky. He stated that support for independence in Quebec currently stands around 30 percent, and the PQ’s lead in recent polls does not necessarily indicate growing support for secession.

Quebec's next provincial election must be held by October 5th, and St-Pierre Plamondon has affirmed his intention to seek an independence referendum if his party wins, though that vote would likely occur later in the four-year term.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.