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In a province long defined by debates over sovereignty, U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs and his quips about absorbing Canada as the “51st state” have prompted many Quebecers to set aside separatist ambitions in favor of a united front in the upcoming federal election.
Suzanne Dumont, a 70‑year‑old sovereigntist from Quebec City, admits her ballot choice “comes from my head, not my heart.” Unable to back the Bloc Québécois—incapable of forming a majority government—she will vote Liberal for its promise to stand up to Trump.
In Montreal’s Jean‑Talon market, 65‑year‑old Louis Plouffe echoes her sentiment. He respects the Bloc’s advocacy but believes the moment demands “a strong mandate ready for the wave from the U.S.,” and will cast his vote for the Liberals as well.
Political analysts confirm this shift. Émilie Foster of Carleton University notes rising “Canadian patriotism” in Quebec, while pollster Sébastien Dallaire observes that cross‑border tensions have recast Washington, not Ottawa, as voters’ primary adversary.
Recent polls show the Liberals leading in Quebec with about 46%, the Bloc trailing at 25%, and the Conservatives a close third. With Quebec’s 78 seats critical to any federal majority, this swing toward federal parties represents a striking realignment driven by economic anxiety over tariffs on aluminium, forestry, dairy, and auto sectors.
Even Bloc MP Louis‑Philippe Sauvé, who won a surprise by‑election last fall, concedes that “everyone’s talking about the Canada‑U.S. relationship” more than sovereignty. While he continues door‑to‑door campaigning on local issues, he admits that Trump’s trade measures have “monopolized” the election conversation.
Liberal leader Mark Carney—a former central banker whose imperfect French might once have been a liability—has leveraged his global economic credentials to position himself as Canada’s best defense against U.S. pressure. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre casts himself as the change‑agent ready to restore fiscal discipline at home.
As Quebecers head to the polls on April 28, many who once dreamed of independence are now rallying behind a united Canada, believing it offers stronger protection against external economic threats than a standalone Quebec could ever secure.
