He’s done it again. Donald Trump has interfered in a foreign election. This time merely by existing.

Quebec’s Parti Quebecois has announced that if they win this fall’s election they will not hold a referendum on Quebec separation as long as Donald Trump is president. Previously holding such a referendum had been the cornerstone of their platform.

The PQ exist to take Quebec out of Canada. When they have formed government in the past, they have twice (1980 and 1995) asked Quebeckers to vote on leaving Canada. Last time it was a very narrow margin.

So why this time are they putting referendum thoughts on hold? To improve their chances of winning the election. they figure by taking the independence issue off the table they will avoid the circus that would be inevitable as Trump would weigh in. he would probably campaign to have them become the 52nd state, and given his popularity guarantee a win for the “No” side..

If someone from outside the US were to try and interfere in an American election, Trump would be up in arms. It is different if it is him doing the meddling.

Of course he does have the opportunity to meddle in another referendum this fall. Alberta is having a referendum on whether to have a referendum on separating from Canada. It is a very Canadian thing to do.

Trump covets Alberta’s energy resources. As the vote gets closer, I expect him to weigh in on the matter. If it wasn’t so serious it would be fun to watch.