Quebec separatist says no independence referendum while Trump in office

The leader of Quebec’s secessionist party says the debate over his province’s independence has been stymied by turbulence in US politics.Published On 19 Aug 202619 Aug 2026The head of a major secessionist party in the Canadian province of Quebec has promised not to hold a referendum on independence until United States President Donald Trump has left office.Parti Quebecois (PQ) leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said on Tuesday that debate over the issue could only proceed calmly once Trump is no longer president.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Trump and Carney speak ahead of US tariff deadlinelist 2 of 3Carney vows focus on affordability after winning Canada’s special electionlist 3 of 3What’s behind the secessionist movement in the Canadian province Alberta?end of list“It must not be hijacked by the upheavals of American politics, nor by the outbursts of an unpredictable president, nor by fear campaigns,” St-Pierre Plamondon said. “This unpredictability of the American administration will harm our process as well as the quality of the debate on our future as a nation.”Quebec must hold its next provincial election by October 5, and the Parti Quebecois is hoping to make g...