The upcoming provincial election campaign is set to start this week, with Thursday, Aug. 27 likely being the official kickoff date. Despite the campaign not officially commencing, the five major political parties have been in election mode for some time.
The election is scheduled for Oct. 5, marking the first time since 2018 that Quebecers will choose a government without François Legault at the helm. Legault, who led consecutive majority governments in 2018 and 2022, stepped down earlier this year. Christine Fréchette succeeded him as premier after winning the party’s leadership race in April.
Recent polls indicate a closely contested race for premier, with speculation about the possibility of a minority government, a scenario that has not occurred since 2012. This year, there are 127 ridings, up from 125, which means 64 seats are needed for a majority.
The main party leaders in the election are Christine Fréchette for Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), Ruba Ghazal for Québec Solidaire (QS), Charles Milliard for Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ), Éric Duhaime for Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ), and Paul St-Pierre Plamondon for Parti Québécois (PQ).
In terms of key campaign issues, the top concerns for voters, according to a recent poll, include health and social services, the cost of living, housing, and the economy. The PQ, currently leading in the polls, faces scrutiny over its referendum plans, especially after linking the timing to the end of U.S. President Donald Trump’s term in 2029, a decision likely to draw attention given recent U.S.-Canada trade tensions.