Quebec separatism in the 'elbows up' era
Oct 7, 2026 · 28m
Summary
Host Jamie Poisson and guest Martin Patrick Quinn analyze the Parti Québécois's minority victory in Quebec, noting it marks the first separatist government in twelve years. They discuss leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's controversial shift from advocating for diversity to scapegoating immigrants, and his pledge to hold a sovereignty referendum after Donald Trump leaves office. The episode also examines the political implications for Prime Minister Mark Carney, who now faces separatist pressures in both Quebec and Alberta amidst ongoing U.S. trade tensions.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Citizens Bank
PQ victory and the return of separatism
Guest intro: Martin Patrick Quinn
Why the PQ won: voting out the incumbents
Return to 1960s/70s political rhetoric
Record-low vote share and close results
CAQ's total collapse from 90 to 0 seats
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's rise and persona
2016 report: modernizing the PQ
Early views on the referendum obsession
Sponsor: Perk
Promo: CBC's Agent Layla
2020 leadership shift and policy reversal
Criticism of anti-immigrant rhetoric
Demographic shifts and backlash in Quebec
Referendum promise and the Trump factor
Scenarios for 2028 and coalition potential
Federal relief and minority government limits
Dynamics between Carney and Plamondon
Immigration policy conflicts and precedents
Secularism laws and religious symbol bans
Alleged US interference via Dark Defense
Alberta referendum and national implications
Outro
Listen ad-free on Castria