Québec Election 2026: Week 3 Recap

After two jam-packed weeks criss-crossing the province, the campaign buses converged on Montréal for a crucial moment in the election: the first two leaders’ debates. Here are the highlights from the ever-colourful final days of the campaign.

Leaders’ debates: Fréchette under scrutiny

While the polling frontrunner is usually the main target in a leaders’ debate, it was instead Christine Fréchette of the governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) who found herself under fire from all sides during TVA’s Face-à-Face. The CAQ leader did her best to fend off the combined attacks from her opponents, but she appeared off balance, and, at times, even mechanical. Éric Duhaime of the Conservative Party of Québec (PCQ), meanwhile, delivered a particularly strong first debate, managing to speak to viewers beyond his traditional Conservative base.

The second debate, broadcast on Crave, did little to change the overall dynamic. Fréchette needed a breakthrough moment to change the trajectory of the campaign, but none emerged. Charles Milliard of the Québec Liberal Party (PLQ) was solid but also needed to distinguish himself more clearly, while Duhaime again performed well and Ruba Ghazal of Québec solidaire (QS) had a generally good night.

Leaders’ debates: PQ protects its lead

Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon of the Parti Québécois (PQ) came out of the first debate in a strong position, adopting a calmer and more measured tone than his opponents might have expected. He also avoided being put on the defensive over his referendum proposal. The second debate had a different flavour: with the PQ already leading in the polls, Saint-Pierre Plamondon largely played defence, took few risks, and gave his opponents little opportunity to shift the tone. In hockey terms, he played the trap — and lost nothing in the process.

With neither Fréchette nor Milliard producing the kind of breakthrough moments they needed, the second debate appears to have done little to reshape the campaign, leaving the PQ in a strong position.

Trump effect fades, CAQ falls in the polls

The clouds of the tariff war that have loomed over the campaign since the beginning appear to be lifting, much to Christine Fréchette’s chagrin. While the PQ remains in the lead, the CAQ has lost valuable points and has now fallen behind its Liberal rival. The latest Léger poll put the PQ at 29%, followed by the PLQ at 23%, the CAQ at 21%, the PCQ at 17%, and QS at 10%.

Fréchette’s referendum answer raises eyebrows

Some mistakes are self-inflicted and costly enough to haunt a candidate for much of a campaign. Christine Fréchette perhaps made such a mistake when she refused to answer a journalist’s straightforward question about her personal position on Québec independence. She tried to correct course in the following days by repeatedly emphasizing her autonomist stance, but it was too late, as the damage had already been done.

IT scandals come back to haunt the CAQ

On the eve of the leaders’ debate, Radio-Canada revealed that a healthcare IT project initially estimated at $96 million had seen its cost balloon to a staggering $1 billion. Opponents capitalized on the story and accused Christine Fréchette of continuing the wasteful spending of public funds that began under her predecessor. The CAQ opted to question the information in the report and characterized it as an attempt to smear its leader heading into the debates.

Mounting concerns within the PLQ ranks

Despite a modest rebound in the polls, Charles Milliard has little reason to celebrate. Just before the first debate, he faced a wave of media criticism from former Liberal strategists, ministers and MNAs, who called out his inexperience, his team’s lack of political judgment and the campaign’s lacklustre performance. His polite but subdued performance in the ensuing debates perhaps vindicated his critics.

Verdict – Week 3

Best week:

The PQ, which emerged from the debates unscathed and appears well positioned to maintain its lead, and the PCQ, whose leader delivered a good performance and continues to maintain its support in the polls.

Struggling:

The CAQ remains on the defensive, facing renewed criticism over the management of major IT projects, Christine Fréchette’s hesitation on the national question, and her lacklustre performance in the debates.

What to watch for:

Will the Liberals be able to capitalize on Christine Fréchette’s refusal to answer questions about her personal views on Québec sovereignty and bring federalist voters back into their fold?