Quebec party leaders clash over sovereignty referendum and US trade tensions in televised debate
In a televised leaders’ debate, Quebec’s main parties disputed a proposed sovereignty referendum and how to respond to the escalating US-Canada trade dispute.
During the second of three televised debates, the heads of Quebec’s five major parties sparred over the prospect of a sovereignty referendum and the province’s stance in the growing Canada-US trade conflict. CAQ leader Christine Fréchette attacked PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s promise to allocate more than $130 million for a vote, warning it could harm the economy, while he defended the plan as essential for preserving French language and culture.
The discussion also covered the possibility of restricting electricity exports to the United States after President Donald Trump’s recent memorandum targeting Canadian goods. Climate-change strategies were debated, with Éric Duhaime urging fracking and Québec solidaire’s Ruba Ghazal promoting clean-energy alternatives. Issues such as private health-care options, immigration priorities, and protecting the French language further divided the candidates. The final debate is scheduled for Radio-Canada on Sept. 23.
Why it matters
The debate outlines how Quebec’s political choices could affect its economy, language rights, and response to a widening US-Canada trade dispute.
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