Poll suggests the PQ's referendum pledge cost it a majority

PQ vote without a referendum pledge

35 %

A Léger poll taken after the Oct 5 election found the Parti Québécois would have won 35 per cent of the vote without its referendum pledge, against the 28 per cent it received.

Only 20 per cent of respondents favour a referendum in the PQ's first mandate, and the party will govern with a minority when Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is sworn in as premier on Wednesday.

Background

In Alberta, about three-quarters of voters chose on Monday to stay in Canada, rejecting a proposal for a future referendum on separation.

“The message they are sending to Ottawa could not be clearer: Canada, as it stands, is not working, and the status quo is no longer acceptable.”

— Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, PQ leader

Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime and Liberal Leader Charles Milliard both urged St-Pierre Plamondon to drop his promise of a referendum on independence.