Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is making a direct appeal to anglophone voters despite his party's sovereignist platform, arguing that English-speaking Quebecers should consider the PQ as a viable political option in the upcoming provincial election.
Political Landscape Shifts as PQ Gains Momentum
With the 2026 Quebec provincial election approaching, the Parti Québécois finds itself leading in polls while competing parties face significant challenges. The Coalition Avenir Québec government under Premier François Legault is embroiled in conflict with doctors over proposed remuneration reforms in Bill 2, while the Quebec Liberals confront allegations of a vote-buying scheme that has left the party in disarray.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon appeared on the latest episode of The Corner Booth podcast with hosts Bill Brownstein and Aaron Rand, recorded at Snowdon Deli in Montreal on November 21, 2025. Despite the PQ's comfortable position in polls and Plamondon's commitment to hold a referendum on Quebec independence during his first term if elected, the leader is actively seeking support beyond traditional sovereignist circles.
Reaching Across Linguistic Divides
"Why would anglophones always vote for the same party forever? Why would anglophones not be Quebecers and make a choice based on their best interest?" Plamondon questioned during the podcast interview. He emphasized that historical animosities from the 1970s have faded and no longer define contemporary political relationships.
The PQ leader made his case directly to English-speaking Quebecers, stating "I hope I will convince anglophones to be 100 per cent Quebecers." He argued that all Quebec residents, regardless of language, share common challenges and are affected equally by what he characterized as "absurd Canadian policies that are imposed on us."
Healthcare Crisis and Political Strategy
Plamondon addressed the current healthcare tensions, noting that many doctors are considering closing their practices in Quebec and moving to Ontario if Bill 2 becomes law. He criticized the CAQ's approach, suggesting the government picked a fight with healthcare professionals for political advantage. "The CAQ decided to have a war with doctors in order to wedge, because they're so low in the polls," Plamondon stated. "You can't fool the population like the CAQ hoped."
The PQ leader also discussed international relations and trade concerns that often arise in sovereignty discussions. He pointed to examples of other provincial leaders, including Ontario's Doug Ford and Alberta's Danielle Smith, who have pursued independent approaches in dealing with the United States. Plamondon placed blame for current Canada-U.S. tensions on former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he accused of "irritating the world with a mix of very poor intellectual capacity and very high arrogance."
The Corner Booth episode featuring the full interview with Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is available on The Gazette's YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
