Front Burner Quebec separatism in the 'elbows up' era
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Oct 7, 2026 
Martin Patriquin, a Montreal-based journalist covering Quebec politics, explores the Parti Québécois’s return to power after twelve years. They discuss Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s referendum promise, his shift toward harder nationalism, immigration politics, and the constraints of a minority government. The conversation also examines tensions with Mark Carney, Alberta’s separatist movement, and how U.S. pressure could reshape Canada’s unity debate.
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Quebec Returned To Its Old Political Fault Line
- Quebec voters returned to the familiar federalist-versus-sovereigntist divide after eight years of CAQ ambiguity.
- The election primarily expressed fatigue with the governing party, not renewed enthusiasm for separation.
The PQ Won Without A Strong Mandate
- Plamondon frames sovereignty as essential to protecting Quebec’s French language and collective future.
- That message coexists with weak electoral support, as the PQ won only about 28 percent in a fragmented vote.
The CAQ Fell From 90 Seats To Zero
- The CAQ collapsed from 90 seats in 2022 to zero, an extraordinary reversal after two majority governments.
- Martin Patriquin uses “dégringolade” to describe the party’s total electoral collapse.