A separatist party narrowly won Quebec's election on Monday (October 5), a result that could make it tougher for Prime Minister Mark Carney to maintain national unity against U.S. President Donald Trump.

Provisional results showed the predominantly French-speaking province of 9 million had opted for the Parti Quebecois of Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who is promising to hold a referendum on breaking from Canada once Trump leaves office.

"A referendum is a chance to decide things for ourselves ... our national destiny will be achieved one day," Plamondon, a 49-year-old former lawyer, told cheering supporters.

But he faces challenges, since the PQ only won 59 of the 127 seats in the Quebec national assembly, or five short of a majority. The legislature must approve a referendum vote.

In remarks addressed to Carney, Plamondon said he would defend Quebec's interests above all, but reiterated that he was happy to work with Ottawa whenever it suited Quebec.

Carney congratulated Plamondon on X, saying, "Building a stronger Quebec is core to our mission of building a stronger Canada."

Carney looked forward to working with Plamondon to support Quebec's businesses and workers hit by tariffs, he added.

The PQ - which benefited significantly from vote-splitting between the five major parties in the fray - took just 27.9% of the vote, the lowest share of ballots ever captured by a winning party in Quebec electoral history.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA (OCTOBER 5, 2026) (CBC - No use Canada)

1. VARIOUS OF PARTI QUEBECOIS (PQ) LEADER PAUL ST-PIERRE PLAMONDON ARRIVING AT PQ HEADQUARTERS

2. PLAMONDON ON STAGE

3. PLAMONDON AT PODIUM IN TEARS, PUMPS FIST IN AIR AS PQ MEMBERS BEHIND CHEER

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARTI QUEBECOIS (PQ) LEADER PAUL ST-PIERRE PLAMONDON, SAYING:

"A referendum is an opportunity to decide for ourselves. It is an act of democracy that allows us, as a people, to determine our national future."

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARTI QUEBECOIS (PQ) LEADER PAUL ST-PIERRE PLAMONDON, SAYING:

"Because the only path that can secure a future for our culture and our language, the only path that will allow us to be fully ourselves and to shine throughout the world because of our distinctiveness and our very existence, is the path of full political freedom."‌

8. WHITE FLASH

9. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARTI QUEBECOIS (PQ) LEADER PAUL ST-PIERRE PLAMONDON, SAYING:

"I want the prime minister, Mr. Carney, to know that he will find in me someone who is direct, frank and transparent, and above all someone who will always put the interests of Quebecers first."‌

10. WHITE FLASH

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PARTI QUEBECOIS (PQ) LEADER PAUL ST-PIERRE PLAMONDON, SAYING:

"Now a word for my English speaking friends in Quebec. Many of you right now might be wondering how the Parti Quebecois will govern over the next four years. I just want to let you know very clearly that I'll be the premier of everyone in Quebec."

12. WHITE FLASH

13. PLAMONDON ENDING SPEECH

14. RALLY ENDING

INTERNET (OCTOBER 5, 2026) (SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE - Access all) (MUTE)

15. SCREENSHOT OF X POST FROM CANADA PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY, READING: "Congratulations, Premier-designate @PaulPlamondon, on your election victory. Building a stronger Québec is core to our mission of building a stronger Canada. I look forward to working with you to support Québec’s businesses and workers impacted by tariffs, create more good jobs, work to end homelessness, and get more homes built across Québec. Thank you, Premier @CFrechette, for your service to Québec and to Canada. We got a lot done together — from Churchill Falls to one of the largest infrastructure investments in Québec’s history. I wish you all the best in what comes next."