Quebec Elected Separatists. America's Job Is to Stay Out, and Keep the Border and Trade Steady
The Parti Québécois will form a minority government with less than 30% of the vote, and any independence vote is years away. In our view, America should respect Canada's democracy and focus on a fair trade deal.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | By Clara Hughes, Chief Opinion Editor | October 6, 2026 | 6-min read Quebec voters went to the polls on Monday and handed power to a party that wants to break up Canada. The Parti Québécois, which won three seats in 2022, is projected by CBC to hold 59 (the Associated Press says nearly 60), and will form a minority government, its first time in power since 2014 [1][2][4]. Its leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, still dreams of making Quebec a country [2]. He has also said a vote on independence should wait until President Trump leaves office [1]. In our view, America's job here is simple: stay out of Canada's family argument, and keep the border secure and trade steady. Key Takeaways The separatist Parti Québécois is projected to form a minority government, short of the 64 seats needed for a majority in the 127-seat assembly [1][4]. Only about 30% of Quebecers back independence, according to polls cited by the BBC, and the PQ is projected to govern with less than 30% of the popular vote [1][2]. U.S. goods and services trade with Canada totaled an estimated $872.3 billion in