Parti Québécois says it won’t hold referendum on sovereignty while Trump is president

MONTREAL — The leader of the Parti Québécois says his party would not call a referendum on sovereignty if it forms a government until Donald Trump leaves the White House.

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says his party still plans to call a referendum on whether Quebec should separate from Canada in its first mandate.

But he says an issue as crucial as the future of Quebec requires a clear and serene debate.

He says this debate should not be disrupted by American politics or surprise announcements coming from the U.S. president.