The separatist Parti Québécois (PQ) won the provinical elections in Quebec on Monday, a result that could make it tougher for Prime Minister Mark Carney to maintain national unity against US President Donald Trump.
Provisional results showed the predominantly French-speaking province of 9 million had opted for the the party of Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who is promising to hold a referendum on breaking from Canada once Trump leaves office.
The result that could make it tougher for Prime Minister Mark Carney to maintain national unity against US President Donald Trump.
The victory by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's party ends eight years of rule by the Coalition Avenir Québec and puts the question of Quebec's future in Canada back at the centre of provincial politics.
St-Pierre Plamondon has pledged to hold another referendum on independence, though he has said he would wait until US President Donald Trump is no longer in office. But the victory does not mean most Quebecers support leaving Canada.
"A referendum is a chance to decide things for ourselves ... our national destiny will be achieved one day," Plamondon, a 49-year-old former lawyer, told cheering supporters.
But he faces challenges, since the PQ only won 59 of the 127 seats in the Quebec national assembly, or five short of a majority. The legislature must approve a referendum vote.
In remarks addressed to Carney, Plamondon said he would defend Quebec's interests above all, but reiterated that he was happy to work with Ottawa whenever it suited Quebec.
Carney congratulated Plamondon on X, saying, "Building a stronger Quebec is core to our mission of building a stronger Canada."
Carney looked forward to working with Plamondon to support Quebec's businesses and workers hit by tariffs, he added.
(With inputs from AP via PTI & Reuters)