--- title: "Quebec separatist leader delays independence vote until after Trump leaves office" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/quebec-separatist-leader-delays-independence-vote-until-after-trump-leaves-offic" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/quebec-separatist-leader-delays-independence-vote-until-after-trump-leaves-offic" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/quebec-separatist-leader-delays-independence-vote-until-after-trump-leaves-offic.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/quebec-separatist-leader-delays-independence-vote-until-after-trump-leaves-offic" category: "Politics" published: "2026-08-18T15:46:37.637Z" source_reported: "2026-08-18T14:41:49.000Z" updated: "2026-08-18T15:46:37.637Z" trust_score: 70 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-18T18:45:16.944945+00:00" --- # Quebec separatist leader delays independence vote until after Trump leaves office *Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon rules out referendum before January 2029* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 70 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports corroborate the central claim; digests agree. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Quotes and context provided in full reports; digests lack depth. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Headlines are measured; no sensationalism detected. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said Quebec will not hold an independence referendum before 20 January 2029, when Donald Trump’s second term ends. - The party remains committed to holding a referendum during its first mandate if elected, but only after Trump leaves office. - Support for Quebec independence stands at around 30%, according to polling cited by AP and CTV, with Trump’s policies strengthening the case for remaining in Canada. - The decision aims to avoid a debate overshadowed by American political instability, St-Pierre Plamondon said. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of Quebec’s Parti Québécois (PQ), announced on 18 August 2026 that his party would not hold a referendum on independence from Canada while Donald Trump remains U.S. president. The PQ, which is currently out of power but leading in polls ahead of Quebec’s 5 October election, said it would still hold a referendum during its first term in office, but not before 20 January 2029, the end of Trump’s second term. St-Pierre Plamondon said the decision was made to ensure a calm and informed debate on Quebec’s future. He argued that Trump’s unpredictability, tariffs and rhetoric about making Canada the 51st U.S. state had complicated the separatist case, fuelling Canadian nationalism and making independence a harder sell. Polling cited by the Associated Press and CTV News shows support for Quebec independence remains at around 30%. The PQ has governed Quebec several times without holding a referendum, most recently from 2012 to 2014. Quebec, where 80% of the population is French-speaking, already has significant autonomy, including its own income tax, immigration policies favouring French speakers and laws prioritising French over English. The province has twice rejected sovereignty in referendums, most recently in 1995 by a narrow margin. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mentioned the 30% support figure for Quebec independence or the analysis from Daniel Béland that a referendum during Trump’s presidency would have been "particularly risky". The centre-rated digests did not carry the 30% support figure or the impact of Trump’s tariffs and rhetoric on separatist sentiment. The left-rated reports were the only ones to include Béland’s analysis and the polling data on support for independence. ## Who covered it Shares of the 22 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 50% (11) - Centre: 36% (8) - Right: 14% (3) 4 of 26 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-18T18:45:16.944945+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-18T17:15:17.496Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The nine left-rated digests and two full reports led on St-Pierre Plamondon’s decision to delay the referendum until after Trump leaves office. The Associated Press and La Presse quoted his statement that the debate must not be "hijacked by the upheavals of American politics" or "fear campaigns". The Toronto Star and Hamilton Spectator noted the announcement came as the PQ leads in polls ahead of the October election. - The Associated Press report included analysis from Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University, who said triggering a referendum while Trump was in office would have been "particularly risky". The report also noted that Trump’s policies had strengthened the case for remaining in Canada. The Independent and Stuff digests highlighted the uphill battle separatist referendums face in Quebec and Alberta due to Trump’s rhetoric. ### Centre - The six centre-rated digests and CTV News’s full report led on the PQ’s commitment to delay the referendum until after Trump’s presidency. CTV News quoted St-Pierre Plamondon’s social media statement that the decision would "completely defuse the argument that this would be the worst possible time to reflect on our future because of Trump". The report also noted the PQ’s polling lead, with 30% support in voting intentions, though support for sovereignty remains at 31%. - CP24 and City News digests repeated the PQ’s position that a referendum would not be held "while Donald Trump is president". Le Devoir’s digest noted that St-Pierre Plamondon would make an "important statement" about the referendum, though it did not specify the content. None of the centre-rated digests mentioned the 30% support figure for independence or the impact of Trump’s policies on separatist sentiment. ### Right - The Montreal Gazette’s digest was the only right-rated report. It led on the PQ’s commitment to hold a referendum after Trump leaves office, stating that the party "is still committed to holding a referendum in its first mandate". The digest did not mention the 30% support figure for independence, the reasoning behind the delay, or the impact of Trump’s policies on separatist efforts. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 15 - unknown: 4 - veryHigh: 7 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Epoch Times](https://theepochtimes.com/world/parti-quebecois-wouldnt-hold-separation-vote-while-trump-is-in-office-leader-says-6076547) — Parti Québécois Wouldn’t Hold Separation Vote While Trump Is in Office, Leader Says - [Le Monde](https://lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/08/18/quebec-s-separatist-party-rules-out-an-independence-vote-while-trump-in-power_6756643_4.html) — Quebec's separatist party rules out an independence vote while Trump in power - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/canada/11075336/quebec-separatist-leader-says-no-independence-referendum-until-trump-leaves-office.html) — Quebec separatist leader says no independence referendum until Trump leaves office - [Le Journal de Quebec](https://journaldequebec.com/2026/08/18/un-referendum-sur-lindependance-du-quebec-ira-apres-le-depart-de-donald-trump-declare-pspp) — A Referendum on Quebec's Independence Will Go After Donald Trump's Departure, Says PSPP - [VINnews](https://vinnews.com/2026/08/18/quebec-separatist-leader-says-no-independence-referendum-until-trump-leaves-office) — Quebec Separatist Leader Says No Independence Referendum Until Trump Leaves Office - [InnisfilToday.ca](https://innisfiltoday.ca/national-news/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president-12676607) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [ElliotLakeToday.com](https://elliotlaketoday.com/national-news/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president-12676607) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [CambridgeToday.ca](https://cambridgetoday.ca/national-news/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president-12676607) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [haltonhillstoday.ca](https://haltonhillstoday.ca/national-news/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president-12676607) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [iPolitics](https://ipolitics.ca/2026/08/18/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president) — Parti Québécois says it won’t hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [Independent Español](https://independentespanol.com/noticias/mundo/europa/lider-separatista-de-quebec-dice-que-no-habra-referendo-hasta-que-trump-deje-el-cargo-b3035010.html) — Quebec Separatist Leader Says There Will Be No Referendum Until Trump Leaves Office - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/quebec-independence-referendum-trump-canada-b3034986.html) — Quebec separatists won’t hold independence referendum until Trump leaves office - [Stuff](https://stuff.co.nz/world-news/361021966/quebec-separatist-leader-says-no-independence-referendum-unt) — Quebec separatist leader says no independence referendum until Trump leaves office - [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/quebec-separatist-leader-says-no-independence-referendum-until-trump-leaves-office/article_372f7893-9e16-531e-9259-546be28a9dc3.html) — Quebec separatist leader says no independence referendum until Trump leaves office - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/world/2026/08/quebec-separatist-leader-says-no-independence-referendum-until-trump-leaves-office) — Quebec separatist leader says no independence referendum until Trump leaves office - [LancasterOnline](https://lancasteronline.com/news/world/quebec-separatist-leader-says-no-independence-referendum-until-trump-leaves-office/article_6e158414-8318-5c6b-9bff-818be9591822.html) — Quebec separatist leader says no independence referendum until Trump leaves office - [Gloucester Daily Times](https://gloucestertimes.com/news/national_world_news/quebec-separatist-leader-says-no-independence-referendum-until-trump-leaves-office/article_38eb9e51-8d71-52c0-9242-f52b69446e68.html) — Quebec separatist leader says no independence referendum until Trump leaves office - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/quebec-separatist-leader-says-no-independence-referendum-until-trump-leaves-office) — Quebec separatist leader says no independence referendum until Trump leaves office - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/quebec-trump-canada-referendum-independence-c316640d87fb972c77dd7695a607694d) — Quebec separatist leader says no independence referendum until Trump leaves office - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/politics/federal/no-referendum-on-quebec-separation-until-donald-trump-is-out-of-power-pq-leader-says/article_f8c1a952-5d2b-4c68-bce1-6d81ded6f9a2.html) — No referendum on Quebec separation until Donald Trump is out of power, PQ leader says - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/politics/federal/no-referendum-on-quebec-separation-until-donald-trump-is-out-of-power-pq-leader-says/article_45695280-f209-5b26-b829-06b1058d8d74.html) — No referendum on Quebec separation until Donald Trump is out of power, PQ leader says - [The Record](https://therecord.com/politics/federal/no-referendum-on-quebec-separation-until-donald-trump-is-out-of-power-pq-leader-says/article_c2316870-b9bc-59fd-b17c-063a75ad190a.html) — No referendum on Quebec separation until Donald Trump is out of power, PQ leader says - [TVA Nouvelles](https://tvanouvelles.ca/2026/08/18/pas-de-referendum-tant-que-trump-est-au-pouvoir-paul-st-pierre-plamondon-etait-pris-dans-un-dilemme-selon-philippe-leger) — No Referendum as Long as Trump Is in Power: PSPP Was "Taken in a Dilemma," According to Philippe Léger - [Battlefords NOW](https://battlefordsnow.com/2026/08/18/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president) — Parti Québécois says it won’t hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [Ckpg Today](https://ckpgtoday.ca/2026/08/18/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president) — Parti Québécois says it won’t hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [Narcity](https://narcity.com/parti-quebecois-delays-plans-for-referendum) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/canada/2026/08/18/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [SooToday.com](https://sootoday.com/national-news/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president-12676607) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [Airdrie City View](https://airdriecityview.com/national-news/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president-12676607) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [Orillia Matters](https://orilliamatters.com/national-news/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president-12676607) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [Sudbury](https://sudbury.com/national/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president-12676607) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [Bay Today](https://baytoday.ca/national-news/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president-12676607) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [CFJC Today Kamloops](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/08/18/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president) — Parti Québécois says it won’t hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [The NOTL Local](https://notllocal.com/national-news/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president-12676607) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president) — Parti Québécois says it won’t hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [Medicine Hat News](https://medicinehatnews.com/news/national-news/2026/08/18/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [burlingtontoday.com](https://burlingtontoday.com/national-news/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president-12676607) — Parti Québécois says it won't hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [Montreal Gazette](https://montrealgazette.com/news/provincial-news/provincial-politics/parti-quebecois-independence-referendum-after-donald-trump) — PQ would wait for Donald Trump to leave office before holding third referendum - [meadowlakeNOW](https://meadowlakenow.com/2026/08/18/parti-quebecois-says-it-wont-hold-referendum-on-sovereignty-while-trump-is-president) — Parti Québécois says it won’t hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president - [The Globe & Mail](https://theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-pq-will-not-hold-quebec-independence-referendum-until-after-trump) — PQ will not hold Quebec independence referendum until after Trump leaves office, leader says - [mtlcityweblog.com](https://mtlcityweblog.com/2026/08/18/pq-wont-hold-referendum-under-trump) — PQ won’t hold referendum under Trump - [Le Charlevoisien](https://lecharlevoisien.com/2026/08/18/paul-st-pierre-plamondon-prevoit-un-referendum-apres-trump-en-2029-ou-2030) — Paul St-Pierre Plamondon Plans a Referendum After Trump, in 2029 or 2030 - [CTV News](https://ctvnews.ca/montreal/politics/article/pq-to-make-important-statement-about-sovereignty-referendum) — PQ won’t hold sovereignty referendum ‘while Donald Trump is president’ - [CP24](https://cp24.com/news/canada/2026/08/18/pq-wont-hold-sovereignty-referendum-while-donald-trump-is-president) — PQ won’t hold sovereignty referendum ‘while Donald Trump is president’ - [Le Devoir](https://ledevoir.com/politique/quebec/1002392/pas-referendum-tant-trump-sera-maison-blanche-promet-pq) — No Referendum as Long as Trump Is at the White House, Promises the... - [City News](https://montreal.citynews.ca/2026/08/18/pq-quebec-sovereignty-referendum-trump-president) — PQ rules out Quebec sovereignty referendum while Trump is president - [La Clique du Plateau](https://cliqueduplateau.com/2026/08/18/pspp-ne-fera-pas-de-referendum-aussi-longtemps-que-trump-sera-au-pouvoir) — PSPP Will Not Hold a Referendum as Long as Trump Is in Power. - [CBC News](https://cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/parti-quebecois-referendum-9.7310494) — No referendum with Trump around, says PQ ahead of October election - [Radio-Canada](https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2275914/pspp-declaration-annonce-referendum-elections) — PSPP Will Make a Statement on Holding a Referendum - [Le Devoir](https://ledevoir.com/politique/quebec/1002356/pspp-pourrait-attendre-depart-trump-avant-lancer-referendum) — PSPP Could Wait for Trump to Leave Before Launching a... - [La Presse](https://lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2026-08-17/parti-quebecois/pas-de-referendum-tant-que-trump-sera-au-pouvoir.php) — Parti Québécois: No Referendum as Long as Trump Is in Power - [La Presse](https://lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2026-08-17/parti-quebecois/une-annonce-importante-mardi-sur-la-tenue-d-un-referendum.php) — Parti Québécois – A "Important" Announcement Tuesday on the Holding of a Referendum - [Global News](https://globalnews.ca/video/11705959/sovereignty-debate-heating-up-as-pq-loses-ground-in-new-poll) — Sovereignty debate heating up as PQ loses ground in new poll - [TVA Nouvelles](https://tvanouvelles.ca/2026/08/17/paul-st-pierre-plamondon-tiendra-une-declaration-importante-en-lien-avec-lindependance-du-quebec) — Paul St-Pierre Plamondon to Hold "an Important Declaration" in Connection with Quebec's Independence ## Questions **Why did the Parti Québécois delay the independence referendum?** Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said the referendum would be delayed until after Donald Trump leaves office in January 2029 to avoid a debate overshadowed by American political instability. Trump’s tariffs and rhetoric about making Canada the 51st U.S. state have complicated separatist efforts, making independence harder to argue for. **What is the current support for Quebec independence?** Support for Quebec independence remains at around 30%, according to polling cited by the Associated Press and CTV News. Trump’s policies have strengthened the case for remaining in Canada, making separatist referendums an uphill battle in both Quebec and Alberta. **When will the Parti Québécois hold a referendum if elected?** The Parti Québécois has committed to holding a referendum during its first mandate if elected, but not before 20 January 2029, when Donald Trump’s second term ends. The party said it would consult Quebecers on independence during its term but would not trigger a vote while Trump is in office. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/quebec-separatist-leader-delays-independence-vote-until-after-trump-leaves-offic. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Quebec separatist leader delays independence vote until after Trump leaves office", https://mediabias.news/politics/quebec-separatist-leader-delays-independence-vote-until-after-trump-leaves-offic