Quebec’s new premier, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, has been elected following a decisive victory for the Parti Québécois (PQ). The change of government has raised a fresh wave of questions for First Nations across the province, from the Innu of the Gaspé Peninsula to the Cree of the Lac La Biche area. As the PQ pushes a new sovereignty agenda, these communities see both potential opportunities and risks for their treaty rights and the stewardship of the land they have cared for for millennia.
Plamondon’s campaign has promised a referendum on independence by 2029, should the federal government agree to such a weighty decision. Indigenous elders warn that Quebec’s ownership of its land does not absolve Canada from its responsibility to honour treaty obligations, and the timing of a sovereignty vote could undermine the stability of long‑standing negotiated agreements.
A cornerstone of this debate is the PQ’s plan to repatriate money currently spent on the provincial monarchy. The party claims that funds earmarked for the lieutenant‑governor’s office and other royal institutions could instead support social services, including community health, water treatment and the revitalisation of traditional medicine. For many Indigenous groups, these funds could be critical to restoring the health of ecosystems and supporting elder‑led knowledge keepers.
However, the legal framework that supports this proposal is uncertain. Many Indigenous leaders caution that the removal of the monarchy’s financial footprint could obscure the role of the lieutenant‑governor in granting assent to legislation—a process that historically included Indigenous consultation in matters affecting territorial waters and resource management. The potential loss of this layer of governance might limit the formal avenues through which Indigenous communities currently advocate for legislative consideration of environmental protection.
Canada’s current Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed willingness to engage with Quebec on a “stronger Canada” foundation, promising to “work together with Quebec to support businesses and Indigenous workers affected by tariffs, end homelessness and build more homes.” The new premier has echoed this collaboration, highlighting a shared interest in climate policy and promising dialogue with all provincial stakeholders.
Calls for partnership remain; Indigenous representatives are demanding that any transition include structured dialogue from the onset. There is a growing movement to embed traditional ecological knowledge into the province’s broader environmental strategies, recognising that stewardship of forests, rivers and wildlife relies on centuries of Indigenous observation and practice. The upcoming years will test whether Quebec’s new administration honours these commitments or prioritises a narrow political narrative at the expense of environmental and cultural continuities.
Ultimately, the PQ’s victory offers a renewed platform to address Indigenous concerns. By explicitly incorporating treaty rights and community-led stewardship into its platforms, the new government can foster resilient relationships that honour both sovereignty and the rich ecological heritage that Indigenous peoples safeguard across Quebec.
