Paul St-Pierre Plamondon

Early Life, Education and Professional Career

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon was born on February 17, 1977, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, to Louise St-Pierre and Jacques Plamondon, the former director general of the Quebec Table Tennis Federation. His grandfather, Paul-Henri Plamondon, served as president of the Quebec City Chamber of Commerce. He began his college studies at Collège André-Grasset, graduating in 1997. St-Pierre Plamondon holds bachelor's degrees in both Civil Law and Common Law from McGill University, earned in 2001, alongside a Certificate in International Law from Lund University in Sweden. He later completed a Master of Business Administration at Nuffield College, Oxford, in 2006. His early career included international experience, such as volunteering as a prosecutor for the Permanent Assembly of Human Rights in Sucre, Bolivia, in 2003 and working with NATO in Belgium in 2005.

Upon returning to Quebec, he practised law in the litigation department of the national firm Stikeman Elliott. In 2009, he joined the Delegatus law firm as a vice-president and shareholder. His pro bono work was recognized in 2010 when he was awarded the title of Lawyer of the Year in the pro bono category by the Young Bar of Montreal. Beyond law, St-Pierre Plamondon co-founded the non-profit think tank Génération d'idées in 2007, aiming to engage young adults in public debate. In 2009, he toured 19 Quebec cities to gather perspectives from 500 young people, later publishing the essay Des jeunes et l'avenir du Québec: les rêveries d'un promeneur solitaire. In 2011, he began as co-host of the radio show Génératrice on Radio-Canada's Première Chaîne. His public advocacy for an inquiry into Quebec's construction industry led to his removal from the program. In 2012, he defended students on walkout in court and participated in a demonstration of lawyers against Bill 78. In February 2014, he became a journalist for Les Affaires newspaper and published a second essay, Les Orphelins politiques, in October 2014.

Entry into Politics and Party Leadership Bid

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon first entered formal politics through the Parti Québécois. In 2016, after considering creating a new centre-left nationalist party, he was persuaded to run for the leadership of the PQ. He entered the 2016 Parti Québécois leadership race, finishing in fourth place with 6.84 percent of the vote. During that campaign, he advocated for reconnecting the party with all Québécois and opposed holding a sovereignty referendum in a first PQ mandate. Following the race, newly elected PQ leader Jean-François Lisée appointed him as a special advisor in October 2016. In that role, St-Pierre Plamondon conducted an extensive public consultation, meeting with over 3,600 people across 162 sessions, and tabled a report with 156 recommendations in April 2017. The report called for a refocus on inclusive nationalism and distancing the movement from populism. Many of these recommendations were adopted at party conventions in 2017 and 2019.

St-Pierre Plamondon ran as the PQ candidate in the riding of Prévost during the 2018 Quebec general election. He was positioned as a star candidate but was defeated by former Liberal minister Marguerite Blais, who was then running for the Coalition Avenir Québec. After the PQ's significant electoral setbacks in 2018, St-Pierre Plamondon launched a second bid for the party leadership. He officially announced his candidacy on January 28, 2020, and won the leadership race on October 9, 2020, securing 56 percent of the vote in the third round. Unlike his 2016 stance, he pledged during this campaign to hold a sovereignty referendum within the first mandate of a PQ government, marking a definitive shift in his public position on the issue.

Rebuilding the Parti Québécois and Path to Power

Upon becoming leader, St-Pierre Plamondon faced the challenge of rebuilding a party at a historic low. He announced his candidacy in the Montreal riding of Camille-Laurin for the 2022 general election. On election night in 2022, he won the seat, defeating CAQ incumbent Richard Campeau. The broader 2022 election was disastrous for the PQ, however, as the party was reduced to only three seats in the National Assembly, its smallest-ever caucus, and lost its official party status after winning just 14 percent of the popular vote. In the aftermath, St-Pierre Plamondon and his two fellow PQ MNAs refused to swear the Oath of Allegiance to the King, a constitutional requirement for taking their seats. This led to their temporary exclusion from the legislature in December 2022 until the CAQ government passed a bill declaring the oath inapplicable in Quebec.

A leadership confidence vote in March 2023 gave St-Pierre Plamondon a record 98.51 percent support from party members. Under his direction, the party shifted rightward, moving away from its traditional progressive legacy. This shift coincided with a steady rise in polling numbers, with the PQ overtaking the CAQ to become the most popular party in Quebec by November 2023. The party's recovery was marked by a series of by-election victories that expanded its presence in the legislature. The PQ won the Jean-Talon by-election on October 2, 2023, electing Pascal Paradis as its fourth MNA. It secured the Terrebonne by-election on March 17, 2025, with Catherine Gentilcore becoming the fifth MNA. The party won the Arthabaska by-election on August 11, 2025, electing Alex Boissonneault as its sixth MNA. Finally, it captured the Chicoutimi by-election in February 2026, with Marie-Karlynn Laflamme becoming the seventh PQ MNA. This rebuilding phase set the stage for the 2026 general election campaign.

Policy Positions and Controversies as Opposition Leader

As opposition leader, St-Pierre Plamondon articulated a distinct political vision that often generated debate. A central pillar was his commitment to Quebec sovereignty, including a plan to hold a referendum in a first PQ mandate. He later clarified that he would wait until after the end of U.S. President Donald Trump's term, pushing any potential vote to at least 2029. He stated that an independent Quebec would establish its own currency within a decade after a successful vote, though the party would also consider retaining the Canadian dollar or adopting the U.S. dollar. In 2025, he expressed support for the Alberta separatism movement and revealed he had met with leaders of the Alberta Prosperity Project. His stance on immigration became a significant point of contention. In 2024, he called for a referendum on immigration levels and agreed with a comment by Donald Trump linking Canadian immigrants to fentanyl trafficking. These positions drew criticism from former PQ figures and cultural leaders, who accused him of scapegoating immigrants and damaging the party's historical relationships.

St-Pierre Plamondon faced other controversies, including a report in 2024 that members of the sovereigntist identarian group Nouveau alliance were participating in PQ meetings, to which he responded that his party welcomed people from the far-right and far-left who respected its ethics code. In December 2025, he criticized part of Quebec's cultural community for lacking loyalty after some associations welcomed a federal minister's appointment, leading to backlash from artists and a subsequent tempering of his comments. His relationship with the media was also scrutinized, with the Canadian Association of Journalists criticizing his behaviour toward reporters during the 2026 election as a political strategy. On policy, he pledged to abolish the Santé Québec health agency created by the CAQ, though later suggested keeping part of it as a division within the Health Ministry. He also faced criticism from Indigenous leaders after stating the PQ would not require First Nations consent to adopt a provisional constitution for a sovereign Quebec.

The 2026 Election Victory and Swearing-In

The 2026 Quebec general election was held on October 5. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon led the Parti Québécois to a victory, winning 59 seats in the National Assembly. This result fell short of the 64 seats needed for a majority, resulting in Quebec's first minority government since 2012 and the first PQ government since that same year. The win represented a dramatic resurgence for a party that had been nearly wiped out just four years earlier. In the days following the election, St-Pierre Plamondon outlined his government's initial priorities, which included unlocking emergency funds for homelessness and food banks, creating a secretariat for government efficiency, and introducing a bill to freeze the salaries of elected officials and Crown corporation executives.

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon was sworn in as Quebec's 34th premier on October 21, 2026, in a ceremony at the National Assembly's Red Room. In a symbolic break with tradition reflecting his republican views, he requested that Lieutenant Governor Manon Jeannotte not attend the swearing-in. He unveiled a cabinet of 22 ministers, which was smaller than the previous CAQ cabinet, fulfilling a campaign promise to reduce the size of government. The cabinet included nine women and 14 men, with several ministers holding multiple portfolios. The ceremony was attended by former premiers, supporters, and family, including former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe and former PQ leader Pierre Karl Péladeau.

Premiership and Initial Cabinet

Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's initial cabinet appointments reflected a blend of experienced PQ figures and new faces, tasked with managing a minority government. Catherine Gentilcore was named Deputy Premier, Minister of Immigration, Government Parliamentary Leader, and Minister Responsible for Quebec Independence, making her a central figure in both daily governance and the sovereignty project. Marie-Karlynn Laflamme was appointed Minister of Health, with the primary mandate of abolishing the Santé Québec agency. Marie-Claude Sarrazin was given a wide-ranging portfolio as Minister of Justice, and also made responsible for secularism, the fight against racism, relations with English-speaking Quebecers, LGBTQ+ issues, and access to information.

Other key appointments included Joël Arseneau as Minister of Education, Nicolas Marceau returning as Minister of Finance, Pascal Bérubé as Minister of Culture, and Alain Therrien as President of the Treasury Board. St-Pierre Plamondon appointed himself as Minister Responsible for Homelessness, declaring it an immediate priority. He also created a new position dedicated to government efficiency, filled by former Amos mayor Sébastien D’Astous. The premier acknowledged the challenge of representing Quebec City, where the PQ failed to elect any candidates, and stated he was studying options such as appointing a minister from within to advocate for the capital's interests. The minority dynamic means the government will require support from opposition parties, such as the Conservative Party of Quebec or Québec Solidaire, to pass legislation.

Personal Life

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is married to Alexandra Tremblay. The couple, who have three children, previously lived on Île d'Orléans near Quebec City before moving to the Montreal riding of Camille-Laurin in 2023. He is multilingual, stating that he speaks five languages: French, English, Spanish, Danish, and Swedish. His father, Jacques Plamondon, was a significant influence, teaching him that everything is possible and that persistence can lead to miracles. St-Pierre Plamondon was an athlete in his youth, competing in tennis, a sport his father was deeply involved with as a federation president. His personal reflections often draw on these formative experiences of competition and international exposure from his studies and work abroad.

Questions about Paul St-Pierre Plamondon

When did Paul St-Pierre Plamondon become premier of Quebec?

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon was sworn in as the 34th premier of Quebec on October 21, 2026. He became premier-designate after leading the Parti Québécois to victory in the provincial election held on October 5, 2026. The PQ won 59 seats in that election, which resulted in the formation of a minority government. This victory marked the return of the Parti Québécois to power for the first time since 2012.

What is Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's stance on Quebec sovereignty?

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon pledged to hold a sovereignty referendum in the first mandate of a PQ government. He stated that if a sovereignty referendum were successful, Quebec would establish its own currency within a decade after the vote. The PQ would also consider establishing an independent commission to evaluate creating its own currency, keeping the Canadian dollar, or adopting the American dollar. In 2026, he admitted it was possible he would wait for the end of U.S. President Donald Trump's term in office before holding a referendum. On September 9, 2026, he pledged to hold a referendum on Quebec sovereignty even if the PQ did not win a majority government.

What was the Parti Québécois's position before St-Pierre Plamondon led it to victory?

Before the 2026 victory, the Parti Québécois was at a historic low. In the 2022 general election, the party won only three seats and 14 percent of the vote, losing its official party status in the National Assembly. Under St-Pierre Plamondon's leadership, the party underwent a rebuilding phase, shifting rightward and winning a series of by-elections. This gradual recovery in public support culminated in the 2026 election win, which returned the PQ to government for the first time since 2012.

What controversies has Paul St-Pierre Plamondon been involved in?

St-Pierre Plamondon has been involved in several controversies, primarily concerning his statements on immigration. He has called for a referendum on immigration levels, agreed with comments linking immigrants to drug trafficking, and was criticized for remarks about the loyalty of Quebec's cultural community. His relationship with the media has also been contentious, with journalistic groups criticizing his behaviour. Reports of far-right group members participating in PQ meetings and his support for Alberta separatism have sparked debate.

What is Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's educational and professional background?

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon holds bachelor's degrees in Civil Law and Common Law from McGill University, an MBA from Nuffield College, Oxford, and a Certificate in International Law from Lund University. He was a lawyer in the litigation department of Stikeman Elliott. He later joined the Delegatus law firm as vice-president and shareholder. He co-founded the nonprofit thinking group Génération d'idées. He began as co-host of the radio show Génératrice on Radio-Canada's Première Chaîne. In February 2014, he became a journalist for Les Affaires newspaper.

What are some key policies of Premier St-Pierre Plamondon?

A key policy of Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is his pledge to abolish Santé Québec, though he later suggested keeping part of it as a division within the Ministry of Health. He has also pledged to hold a sovereignty referendum in the first mandate of a Parti Québécois government, a position he adopted during his 2020 leadership campaign. He has stated that if a sovereignty referendum were successful, Quebec would establish its own currency within a decade, though an independent commission would evaluate that option against keeping the Canadian dollar or adopting the US dollar. During the 2026 election campaign, he expressed a desire to quickly unlock emergency funds to tackle homelessness and boost assistance for food banks. His government is also expected to be Quebec's first Parti Québécois government since 2012 and will operate as a minority government.

Sources and further reading

• Paul St-Pierre Plamondon (Wikipedia)
• Quebec's new PQ premier unveils smaller cabinet as ... (cbc.ca)
• St-Pierre Plamondon sworn in as Quebec premier, unveils ... (globalnews.ca)
• Who is Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, Quebec's premier ... (montrealgazette.com)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-10-24.