Quebec’s five main political party leaders have kicked off the second day of the province’s general election campaign by actively engaging in various regions. Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) Leader Christine Fréchette is focusing on the ridings of Rimouski, Bellechasse, Mégantic, and Beauce-Sud. Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard is concentrating his efforts in the Eastern Townships region, where he started with an economic announcement in Sherbrooke and will continue to Magog and Ayer’s Cliff, running in the Orford riding.
Québec Solidaire (QS) co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal is addressing issues such as grocery prices, innovation zones, and transit workers in Sherbrooke before moving to Quebec City for an evening campaign launch in the Taschereau riding. Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) Leader Éric Duhaime is commencing the day in La Peltrie, a Quebec City area riding, with plans to spend the entire day in the provincial capital, aiming for a strong showing on election night on Oct. 5.
Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is focusing on Victoriaville and Drummondville after starting the day on Montreal’s South Shore at the former site of the failed $7 billion Northvolt electric vehicle battery plant. With nearly six weeks until voting day, each leader is emphasizing different messages, ranging from economic uncertainties and sovereignty to affordability and the call for political change.
Fréchette of the CAQ is addressing economic uncertainties due to the trade war initiated by U.S. President Trump while questioning her opponent’s promise of a sovereignty referendum. Plamondon of the PQ is delaying plans for a sovereignty referendum until after Trump leaves office, critiquing the CAQ’s governance after eight years in power. Milliard of the Liberals is positioning his party as an alternative to both the CAQ and PQ, focusing on unity, health care, education, public finances, and addressing the trade war.
Ghazal of QS is prioritizing affordability, housing, and the environment, claiming QS best represents the everyday concerns of Quebecers. Duhaime of the Conservatives is promoting economic freedom and affordability, proposing significant tax cuts and advocating for the elimination of interprovincial trade barriers. Leaders are actively engaging in the campaign, each advocating for their party’s platform and vision for Quebec’s future.
