Quebec votes 2026: PQ estimates $130M to hold independence referendum if elected
Posted September 11, 2026 5:09 pm.
Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says it would cost at least $130 million to hold a referendum he plans to call in 2029 or 2030 if his party forms the next Quebec government on Oct. 5.
The proposed budget would include $20 million for consultations and studies and $110 million for the referendum itself.
“Holding an election, a referendum or any democratic exercise costs around $110 million. And being in a democracy has a price, but it’s a way better system than other systems,” St-Pierre Plamondon said. “And I’d rather pay for consulting the population than to do things without consulting the population.”
Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard criticized the proposed spending, saying the money could be used for other priorities.
“There will be a hole of $130 million of misused money, and I can tell you what we would do with $130 million,” Milliard said. “Nearly one million hours of home care can be offered. We could probably build three primary schools and 1,300 off-market housing units.”
Éric Duhaime, leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec, also criticized the proposal.
“People are struggling to pay for groceries, yet they’re going to spend $130 million on a referendum,” Duhaime said. “Come on — nothing could be more out of touch or unrealistic than that.”
Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette questioned the transparency of the Parti Québécois proposal.
“It is frankly not transparent to say that they will come to the debate next week without having presented the financial framework to Quebecers,” Fréchette said.
Recent voter-intention polls suggest an election held today could result in a minority government led by the Parti Québécois.
Political analyst Daniel Tran said a minority government could make it more difficult for the party to move ahead with a referendum.
“As a minority government, you will have to get the majority of the vote to be able to push for any item on the agenda,” Tran said. “For a referendum, especially of this nature, he will have to seek support from other parties to push forward.”
Tran said the issue could also create political tensions between the Parti Québécois and Québec solidaire.
“And then, of course, there will be politics in the background because if Québec solidaire doesn’t approve it, then they can start this battle and point a finger at Québec solidaire for not going with the process of a referendum,” he said.
On Friday, Québec solidaire co-leader Ruba Ghazal said the party’s financial framework estimates the cost of holding a referendum at $220 million if it forms government.
Ghazal said extensive consultations would be needed before a referendum, including with First Nations, anglophones and Quebecers who have concerns about independence.
“It’s important to make a big consultation with the First Nations, with those who are afraid maybe to be an independent country, with the Anglophones, with the whole social society,” Ghazal said.
Montrealer Luc Carmel said he does not support holding another referendum.
“No, I do not want a referendum. It is an issue that leads to instability — whether political or social. I prefer the approach of living together,” Carmel said.
Montrealer Jean Ste-Marie said he supports the idea of a referendum but questioned whether the timing is right.
“Well, yes, I support it, because we need to express ourselves. Expression is democracy,” Ste-Marie said. “But the question is … is now the right time to ask the question? Not for me.”
Gregg, a New York state resident, said he supports Quebec holding a referendum.
“I think they should. I mean, it’s a separate French-speaking province. To keep the culture, I think it’s best if they succeed,” he said.
