Quebec's provincial election campaign officially launches at month's end, setting stage for October 5 vote
Five-week race ahead as Parti Québécois leads polls; cost of living, housing and U.S. trade dominate voter concerns.
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Quebec's provincial election campaign officially launches at the end of August, with voting set for October 5. The timing — just before Labour Day — gives parties a natural moment to reach families gathered together, according to campaign strategists.
The Parti Québécois is currently leading voter intentions in recent polling, while the governing Coalition Avenir Québec and the Quebec Liberals trail. Many Quebecers remain undecided, with three issues dominating conversation: cost of living, housing affordability and trade relations with the United States.
The CAQ enters the race under new leader and Premier Christine Fréchette after nearly eight years in office. The party has rebranded around its new leader and is facing significant turnover, with more than one-third of its current and former MNAs not seeking re-election. "There's a big effort to try to disconnect from the Legault era to begin for the Christine Fréchette era," said Daniel Tran, director of communications and governmental affairs at Casacom.
The Quebec Liberals are rebuilding support under new leader Charles Milliard, while the Parti Québécois aims to maintain its lead despite ongoing debate over leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's pledge to hold a sovereignty referendum during a first mandate. "Especially with the discussion with separation and staying with Canada, who can be the best person to be the captain to defend the province of Quebec? And this is what a lot of the voters will have in mind," Tran said.
CityNews spoke with Montreal voters, many of whom said they remain undecided but already know which issues matter most. "Cost of living. I think everything is getting ridiculous. We can't even feed ourselves let alone going out and shopping and taking care of our families," one voter said. Another emphasized housing: "Definitely housing and housing and housing." A third pointed to trade concerns, saying "The most important now is finding a deal with the United States regarding the tariffs."
How many ridings is each party contesting, and how many candidates have been nominated so far?
What specific housing and cost-of-living policies is each party proposing?
How much is each party spending on the campaign?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When is Quebec's provincial election?
Quebec's provincial election is set for October 5, 2026.
When does the campaign officially launch?
The campaign officially launches at the end of August 2026.
What are the three main issues dominating voter concerns?
Cost of living, housing affordability, and trade relations with the United States are the three issues dominating conversation among Quebec voters.
