Toronto – In a message aimed at Quebecers, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the province should concentrate on pressing economic challenges rather than waiting for a possible independence referendum that could come years later. Carney made the remarks on Tuesday, a day after the separatist Parti Québécois (PQ) formed a minority government.
Cooperative federalism and economic priorities
Carney pledged to work with the new Quebec administration through what he called “cooperative federalism,” focusing on affordable housing, economic growth, infrastructure projects and support for workers hurt by President Donald Trump’s tariffs. “This is a crucial time for our country. It is a crucial time for Quebec,” he said. “It is not a time to wait for something a few years down the road. It is the time to act. It is a time for boldness.”
Dialogue with the incoming premier
Earlier Tuesday, Carney spoke with Quebec Premier‑designate Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon, congratulating him on his party’s victory and discussing concrete steps for infrastructure funding and assistance for workers affected by the ongoing U.S. trade conflict. While Plamondon has reiterated his intention to hold another referendum on Quebec independence, he added he would wait until President Trump leaves office before moving forward.
Federal response to the PQ win
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly echoed the prime minister’s stance, emphasizing that Ottawa will collaborate with the new Quebec government while confronting the “trade war” that is threatening jobs in the province. “Right now we are in a trade war that is affecting a lot of jobs in Quebec,” Joly said. “Our goal will be to protect jobs in Quebec and across the country.”
Political context and public sentiment
The PQ secured 59 seats in the 127‑member National Assembly, falling five seats short of a majority. The minority government will need support from opposition members to pass key legislation and survive confidence votes. The long‑ruling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) was swept out of power, failing to win a single seat.
Ottawa’s Quebec lieutenant, Cabinet minister Joël Lightbound, cautioned that the election result should not be read as a mandate for separation. “A mandate for separation needs to go through a referendum, so yesterday (Monday) was an election, not a referendum,” he said, adding that the federal government will continue to make the case that “Quebec is stronger within Canada.”
Broader implications for Canadian unity
The Quebec election comes less than two weeks before Albertans vote on October 19 on whether to hold a referendum on separating from Canada, reigniting debates about national unity. Analysts note that support for Quebec independence remains around 30%, a figure lower than historic peaks, and that the recent vote was driven more by a desire to replace the CAQ than by a surge in sovereignty sentiment.
As the Trump administration’s tariffs continue to impact Canadian exporters, the Carney government is positioning itself to shield Canadian workers and maintain economic stability while respecting the democratic process in Quebec. The prime minister’s call for “boldness” reflects a broader strategy to keep the country focused on tangible economic outcomes rather than speculative political moves.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
