Carney touts Canadian sovereignty in first comments on Parti Québécois win in Quebec - National Post

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to journalists about the results of Quebec's provincial election on Parliament Hill in Ottawa October 6, 2026. Photo by Blair Gable /PostmediaArticle contentOTTAWA — Hours after the Parti Québécois was elected to a minority government, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he spoke with premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and promised to work with him toward increasing sovereignty for Canadians.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning, Carney said he had just congratulated the incoming Quebec premier and discussed ways to work together.

At a separate press event, St-Pierre Plamondon said he told the prime minister he will work with him on the condition that it be in Quebec’s interest and that the relationship be built on respect.

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“That means being informed of actions being taken and being consulted when our interests are in play,” St-Pierre Plamondon told reporters. “We want to be at the table, not on the menu.”

The PQ leader also said Carney assured him that there would not be an increase in immigration levels any time soon.

On Monday evening, Quebecers elected a minority Parti Québécois government to replace the Coalition Avenir Quebec, which was eradicated from the electoral map.

Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and his family watch Quebec election results come in at Espace St-Denis in Montreal on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. Photo by Evan Buhler /Montreal GazetteArticle contentSt-Pierre Plamondon, known as PSPP, committed to hold a referendum on Quebec’s sovereignty within his first mandate if elected, but only after U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the Oval Office in 2029.

The PQ’s election could set major roadblocks in Carney’s “cooperative federalism” strategy to build major infrastructure and Canadian unity. For example, PSPP promised to kibosh the Alto high speed rail system between Quebec City and Toronto.

Tuesday, various federal cabinet ministers promised to work with their new provincial counterparts while avoiding any criticism of PSPP and his party’s platform.