SAINT-GEORGES – On Thursday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon exchanged sharp remarks as Ford continued to weigh in on Quebec politics for the second day in a row, stating that it would be a “disaster” for Canada if the sovereigntist party were to win.
St-Pierre Plamondon criticized Ford, who has been urging Quebecers over the last two days to steer clear of the PQ for the sake of Canada.
He expressed his expectation of “fear campaigns” and “defamatory attacks against the party to scare everyone.”
“It’s somewhat caricatured for the Premier of Ontario … and other premiers to show up in Quebec’s political scene telling Quebecers how they should vote in such a panicked environment,” said St-Pierre Plamondon, whose party is currently doing well in polls ahead of October’s provincial election.
The topic of unity was front and center during this week’s meeting of premiers in Ottawa, with discussions about sovereignty issues concerning Quebec and Alberta.
Ford reaffirmed his earlier comments from Wednesday, warning that “it’d be a disaster for our country if the separatists got elected. It’s as simple as that. We need to be a united Canada right now.”
Other premiers chimed in too but took a more diplomatic tone, highlighting unity and collaboration.
On Thursday, Ford reiterated that having a united Canada alongside Quebec is beneficial for both sides. He mentioned he didn’t regret using the term “disaster.”
“No, they’re separatists; he (St-Pierre Plamondon) is going to call a referendum if, God forbid, he gets elected,” Ford stated.
“Unacceptable; you’re much stronger when you’re part of Canada.”
Sarcastically responding from Beauce region south of Quebec City, St-Pierre Plamondon remarked that he felt “touched” by Ontario’s premier wanting to prioritize Quebec’s interests.
The PQ leader recalled how Ford attempted to recruit doctors from Quebec during strained negotiations between doctor groups and the provincial government. He also mentioned Ford’s poorly received U. S. anti-tariff ad from last fall which upset the Trump administration and had repercussions for Quebec.
In summary, St-Pierre Plamondon viewed Ford’s involvement as akin to “bad theatre.”
“Why would you step into Quebec politics and tell people how to vote? Where is that going to lead?” questioned St-Pierre Plamondon. “And do people really believe it’ll be catastrophic or disastrous? We’ve seen these scenarios play out so many times throughout our recent history.”
Quebec Premier François Legault stated it should be up to Quebeckers to decide their province’s future. He told reporters in Ottawa on Thursday that most Quebeckers oppose separation while an even larger majority don’t want another sovereignty referendum.
“I told my fellow premiers from various provinces and territories that interfering wasn’t wise,” Legault added. Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed this sentiment during the same news conference by saying it will ultimately rest with Quebeckers’ decision.
For his part, St-Pierre Plamondon assured that an independent Quebec would maintain strong ties with Canada.
“We’ll always have conversations about what we share and how we can move forward,” he noted.
The PQ leader promises a sovereignty referendum by 2030 if he wins this October’s provincial election.
This report by was first Jan. 29, 2026.
– with files from Emilie Bergeron and Michel Saba in Ottawa.
Caroline Plante,
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