Another poll shows the PQ ahead of the CAQ

For the second time in two weeks, a poll of voting intentions gives the Parti québécois (PQ) a lead over the governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ).

The poll, conducted for Québecor media by Léger, reports that if an election had been held a few days ago, the PQ would have won 31 per cent of the popular vote, compared with 25 per cent for the CAQ.

Québec solidaire (QS) was in third place, with 17 per cent support, ahead of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ), at 14 per cent, and the Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ), at 11 per cent.

Two weeks ago, a Pallas Data survey conducted for L’Actualité gave the PQ 30 per cent of the vote, against 24 per cent for the Coalition Avenir Québec.

The Léger poll puts the proportion of respondents dissatisfied with Premier François Legault’s government at 63 per cent, mainly, they say, because of his failure to improve the health and education systems, the 30 per cent salary increase for members of the National Assembly and the subsidy given to the Los Angeles Kings to play pre-season games in Quebec City next season.

According to 28 per cent of those polled, PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon would make the best Premier of Quebec, compared to 19 per cent who support François Legault.

However, Léger notes that support for the PQ is fragile, as its sovereignty project stagnates at 34 per cent, and 47 per cent of respondents want Quebec to sign the 1982 Canadian Constitution and become a province like the others.

The poll was conducted among 1,040 Quebecers between December 1 and 4.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Dec. 6, 2023.