Quebec separatists win provincial election in minority government blow to Mark Carney's unity drive

From the Newshound archive · first published 6 October 2026.

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's Parti Québécois has won Quebec's provincial election, handing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney a fresh national unity headache as he battles Trump's tariffs. The PQ won 59 of 127 seats — five short of a majority — forcing Plamondon to rely on opposition support to govern. The ruling Coalition Avenir Québec was wiped out, losing all 79 of its seats. Plamondon has pledged to hold an independence referendum once Trump leaves office, likely scheduling a third Quebec sovereignty vote for 2029 or 2030.

Carney now faces dual unity crises, with Alberta also set to hold a non-binding independence vote later this month.

Support for Quebec independence sits at just 30%, near record lows, but Plamondon vowed to fight Ottawa on immigration and abolish the monarchy in the province.

'Our national destiny will be achieved one day,' Plamondon told cheering supporters, as he conceded he needs opposition backing even to call a referendum.