Separatist party projected to win Quebec election, adding new test to Canada's unity

BREAKING: Quebec's separatist Parti Quebecois projected to win the provincial election, making Paul St-Pierre Plamondon premier and reviving a pledge for a new referendum on independence from Canada.

Quebec just elected a separatist government for the first time since 2014.

The Parti Quebecois is projected to win a minority, which makes Paul St-Pierre Plamondon the next premier, and there he is, the man who now wants a third referendum on leaving Canada. Quebec voted on this in 1980 and 1995 and said no twice. Polls say only 30 percent want out this time, and Plamondon himself says the vote waits until Donald Trump leaves office, so think 2029 or 2030.

The nearer fight is with Ottawa. He's promised to battle Prime Minister Mark Carney on immigration, and to abolish the monarchy in Quebec, defunding the office that represents King Charles and spending the money on homelessness instead. Lawyers will feast on that one, the monarchy is stitched into Canada's constitution.

And Carney's week gets worse, because Alberta votes on its own separation question later this month. One country, two exit doors, same prime minister.

This is Liu Yang, reporting for HIT.