Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Quebec’s premier-designate says he is already getting the ball rolling on several initiatives he announced during the campaign.
Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, a day after securing a minority government for the Parti Québécois, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said he is looking to take on certain issues right away.
He mentioned combating the homelessness crisis, boosting food bank funding, forming a team to handle trade talks with the U.S. and stripping down some of the previous government’s failed projects, including SAAQclic.
St-Pierre Plamondon said he plans to organize a summit on homelessness, establish a secretariat for government efficiency and regulatory streamlining, introduce a bill freezing the salaries of elected officials and Crown corporation executives and form a smaller cabinet than the outgoing government.
At the same time, he said, money doesn’t grow on trees, and it’s crucial that each step be taken with care to ensure public funds are properly managed.
“Yesterday, Quebecers decided to elect a competent team, made up of men and women ready to govern Quebec,” he said. “As I said in my speech, the work begins.”
This is the first time since 2012 that Quebecers have elected the sovereignist party.
WATCH | St-Pierre Plamondon outlines priorities:
Quebec’s next premier says he has plenty of priorities ahead of potential referendum
Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says he’s ready to collaborate with his political opponents. Cutting bureaucracy and abolishing the monarchy in Quebec are on the party’s agenda, as is a third referendum on independence. But how far can he get with a minority government?PQ promises
St-Pierre Plamondon has vowed to hold a referendum in his first term as premier, though he plans to wait until U.S. Donald Trump has left the Oval Office before doing so.
On Tuesday, despite the expected opposition from Liberals and Conservatives, he suggested he could reach an agreement with Québec Solidaire. However, QS co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal warned Tuesday that her party’s support will not be unconditional.
The PQ ended election night with 59 seats, five shy of a majority government. The Quebec Liberal Party, led by Charles Milliard, will form the Official Opposition. Their seat total stands at 40.
On Tuesday, St-Pierre Plamondon noted his election comes 50 years after René Lévesque and the PQ won the provincial election on Nov. 15, 1976, defeating Robert Bourassa’s Liberal Party.
“Our government must seek to draw inspiration from the 1976 team in its ability to have an immediate positive impact on society and to find solutions where we can find them,” he said.
He said he plans to meet with each party leader in the coming weeks, seeking collaboration not just with the opposition parties but also the public. He said that does not mean “we will agree on everything,” but it’s time to return to civil dialogue in the province.
WATCH | A breakdown of the election result and what it could mean:
What a Parti Québécois comeback means for Quebec & Canada
The Parti Québécois, one of Quebec’s separatist parties, will form the province’s next government, albeit a minority one, falling five seats short of the 64 needed to govern with a majority. Premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon addressed both English and French-speaking Quebecers in his victory speech on Oct. 5, offering a glimpse of what’s to come for voters and the rest of Canada.
His first objective is to reduce the province’s number of people experiencing homelessness by half. At the same time, he will boost food bank funding by $5 million per year, he said.
He wants to release the needed funds to address homelessness. He said he also wants to take a hard look at the province’s finances.
“We have a responsibility to be rigorous and to manage our public funds,” St-Pierre Plamondon said.
He said the goal will be to reduce spending as much as possible while improving services to the population.
“Another big priority for our government will obviously be to lower the cost of living,” he said, noting his intention to update the province’s tax policy. That includes lowering the gas tax and eliminating the tax on used goods, he said.
St-Pierre Plamondon said he has requested legal advice regarding the lieutenant-governor, whom he would like to see absent from the opening ceremony of the 44th legislature of the National Assembly, which is supposed to take place next month.
He said government lawyers will also examine the presence of King Charles III’s representative in Quebec and assess whether the $1.3 million allocated to her office for 2026-27 can be redirected to the fight against homelessness, as the PQ leader promised during the campaign.
St-Pierre Plamondon said he spoke with Prime Minister Mark Carney on the phone Tuesday morning.
“I intend to work with the Canadian prime minister,” he said, as well as the premiers of other provinces, in the best interests of Quebec.
He said he plans to meet with Christine Fréchette, the outgoing premier, to ensure a smooth transition.
“We will govern for all Quebecers,” he said. “Quebecers can count on us to serve everyone.”