Quebec appears poised to elect a separatist government for the first time in over a decade, with the Parti Québécois promising an independence referendum within two years.
Key facts
- Quebec is holding provincial elections, according to the Guardian.
- Polls suggest the Parti Québécois (PQ) will form the government.
- The PQ has promised an independence referendum by 2028.
- It would be the first separatist government in the French-speaking region in more than a decade.
- Quebec has a population of roughly nine million.
Voters in Quebec are going to the polls in provincial elections that are likely to result in victory for a party pledging to hold a referendum on independence from Canada within the next two years, according to the Guardian.
If polls prove accurate, the Parti Québécois (PQ) will form the government of the province, which has a population of roughly nine million people. It would mark the first time the separatist movement has gained power in the French-speaking region in more than a decade.
The PQ has promised to hold an independence referendum by 2028, placing the question of Quebec’s future within Canada at the centre of the province’s politics once again.
The Guardian reports that the likely outcome represents a significant shift in Quebec’s political landscape, reviving the long-running debate over the region’s relationship with the rest of Canada.
A separatist victory would set the stage for renewed national attention on Quebec, as the province’s voters weigh whether to pursue a path toward independence in the years ahead.
Why it matters
A separatist government in Quebec could reopen one of Canada's most consequential political questions by setting a timeline for an independence referendum. The outcome would affect roughly nine million residents and shape the province's relationship with the rest of the country.
Frequently asked questions
Which party is expected to win the Quebec election?
According to the Guardian, polls suggest the Parti Québécois (PQ) will form the government.
When would the independence referendum be held?
The Parti Québécois has promised to hold an independence referendum by 2028.
How large is Quebec's population?
The Guardian reports the province has a population of roughly nine million.