"Canada doesn't work," says PSPP after a vote in which 75% of Albertans chose Canada
In May 2025, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon held up Danielle Smith's referendum push as an example. On October 19, 2026, Albertans chose to stay in Canada by 74.93%. The next day, the PQ leader concluded that "Canada, as it is, does not work", without mentioning that result in the published excerpts.
« Quel geste frappant que de voir Danielle Smith en faire plus en matière d'autonomisme et de défense de sa propre province, de son propre parlement, que de François Legault, au cours de son mandat, en entier. »
« Le Canada, tel qu'il est, ne fonctionne pas et le statu quo ne passe plus. »
- When
- A: May 6, 2025 · B: October 20, 2026
- Source
- A: Montreal Gazette video · B: Facebook post quoted by The Canadian Press
- Result
- Stay in Canada 74.93% · separation 25.07%
What is true
In the October 19, 2026 referendum, 1,552,089 Albertans (74.93%) chose to stay in Canada and 519,180 (25.07%) backed the path to separation. According to partial results reported by The Canadian Press, majorities also backed questions asking for more powers within Canada: more control over immigration (over 54%), abolishing the Senate (over 53%), provinces choosing judges (over 52%) and protecting provincial jurisdiction (51%).
What is left out
The published excerpts of his statement cite neither the 74.93% in favour of Canada nor any other figure. The questions where Yes won asked for more powers within Canada, not independence, and several passed narrowly (51%, 52%).
What we checked
- ✓ Statement A checked on video (transcript, 0:31)
- ✓ Statement B quoted verbatim by The Canadian Press
- ✓ Referendum result: 74.93% / 25.07%
- ? Statement B: written post, no video found
- ✗ Full Facebook post not reviewed (excerpts only)
Why it matters
According to The Canadian Press, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has committed to holding a referendum on Québec independence at the end of a four-year mandate. How the Alberta vote is read will be an argument in that campaign, and it has to be checked against the full numbers.