Quebec’s campaign trail has seen a crowded field in 2026, with five parties potentially positioned to elect members to the legislature for the first time in half a century. As voters prepare to head to the polls on Oct. 5, 2026, Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has pulled away from the pack at the end of a campaign dominated by economic uncertainty, the cost of living, and a potential third sovereignty referendum. St-Pierre Plamondon stated in Quebec City that winning the mandate to be premier carries a moral obligation to govern for everyone. A victory on Monday would mark a major comeback for a party that won just three seats in 2022. André Lamoureux, a political science professor at the Université du Québec à Montreal, attributes the recent PQ momentum partly to a decline by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ). The drop followed a misstep by CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette, who claimed Americans were trying to help sovereigntists before quickly walking back the remarks. Despite shifting poll numbers, Lamoureux notes that multiple players remain in the race. St-Pierre Plamondon has pledged to hold a referendum within four years if his party forms government, even though polls indicate most Quebecers do not favor separation. Nevertheless, the PQ has emerged as a refuge for nationalist, French-speaking voters desiring change from the CAQ. Another beneficiary of waning CAQ support is Éric Duhaime’s Conservative party, which has concentrated its efforts around the Quebec City area. Duhaime has criticized his rivals for being bureaucratic and wasteful, promising tax cuts and government cost reductions to ease cost-of-living pressures. The Conservative leader has asked electors for the balance of power to block the planned sovereignty referendum. Meanwhile, Liberal Leader Charles Milliard has positioned himself as the sole federalist leader suited for economic resurgence. Milliard argued that the vote has narrowed to a race between his party and the PQ, though Lamoureux notes Milliard has struggled to expand his support among francophone voters. Left-wing Québec Solidaire has focused on proposals like a wealth tax and public grocery stores, but has struggled to make headway outside its urban Montreal base. Fréchette entered the race following François Legault’s resignation earlier this year, presenting her team as defenders of Quebec businesses amid a trade war with the U.S. However, she has faced heavy criticism from opponents over government spending and unfulfilled promises during eight years in power. Whoever wins Monday’s vote will lead a vastly different legislature than the one elected four years ago, when the CAQ secured 90 of 125 seats.
Source: cbc.ca
