‘It is fantastic news’: With PQ set to take power in Quebec, the Bloc dreams of separation while Liberals stay quiet

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsCanadian Politics 'It is fantastic news': With PQ set to take power in Quebec, the Bloc dreams of separation while Liberals stay quiet The Liberals either remain mum on the issue or claim that the situation can still change Author of the article: By Catherine Lévesque Published Sep 21, 2026 Last updated 38 minutes ago 4 minute read Join the conversation Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet speaks to members of media in West Block on Parliament Hill on Sept. 21, 2026. PHOTO BY HYUNGCHEOL PARK /Postmedia Article content OTTAWA — The Quebec election is two weeks away and the separatist Parti Québécois is well on its way to form government, with new polling showing they remain in the lead. Article content While the Liberals either remain mum on the issue or claim that the situation can still change, Bloc Québécois MPs are already cherishing the idea of working with their provincial cousins to hold a third referendum for Quebec to separate from Canada. Article content Article content Article content “The election of the Parti Québécois will bring us closer to Quebec’s independence. And in that sense, for me, it is fantastic news, because it is a way to move toward our goal,” said Bloc MP Alexis Deschênes in an interview with National Post. Article content EXCLUSIVE NEWSLETTER Political Hack Political Hack gets at what’s really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill. Wednesdays and Fridays. Subscribe Now See all of our newsletters Article content The PQ has promised to hold a referendum on separation in a first mandate, but only after U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office in January 2029. That means that the party would have a small window to hold one if it stays in power for a four-year term. Article content Deschênes said the last time the PQ took power with a promise to hold a referendum in the first mandate was in 1994 under Jacques Parizeau. He ended up holding a vote on separation a year later and nearly succeeded in Quebec seceding from Canada. Article content But for the moment, PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is not campaigning on independence, instead insisting on good governance and slashing taxes. He even refused to say the word “referendum” in the first debate of the campaign. Article content Despite support for Quebec independence being at historical lows, Deschênes believes the PQ will…