Quebec National Assembly session ends: year in review

Quebec’s National Assembly may be starting its holiday break next week, but things are only bound to start heating up as when elected officials come back in February, they’ll be stepping straight into an election year.

From battles over healthcare reforms to finance scandals to a rising frontrunner in the polls — CityNews looks back at a political year in review so you know what to watch for in 2026.

“As an anglophone Montrealer attending an English university, I don’t think it’ll get better,” said one Montrealer CityNews spoke to.

Another saying, “Whether it be referendum or whether it be … there’s always some kind of language thing.”

Coalition Avenir Québec

If there’s one party limping into the new year, it’s the governing CAQ, says political analyst Daniel Béland.

He says the party never recovered after slumping in the polls back in 2023.

“They have tried different things to, you know, get big things done that might be popular with voters, but a lot of these initiatives have backfired,” said Béland.

Béland says bills like the overhaul of the way doctors are paid, and Quebec’s draft constitution, have weighed heavily on Premier Legault’s popularity. Noting that even if the caucus replaces him, the party’s future is far from guaranteed.

“Even if they get rid of him, he’s the founder of the party; he’s the party. Without him, can the CAQ survive? We don’t know yet,” said Béland.

Despite this, Legualt says, “Yes, I’ve taken my walks in the snow and everything else you want. I’ll be there for the next election.”

Quebec Liberals

On the other side of the aisle, the Liberals have been embroiled in a crisis that has left leader Pablo Rodríguez facing a confidence problem.

Fifty-two per cent of respondents in a poll earlier this month say they don’t trust him at the head of the party.

Questions are now rising on whether he needs to step down.

“I know who I am. I know what I’m worth. And I’m fighting,” said Rodríguez. “I’m here to stay. A captain doesn’t leave during the storm.”

Parti Québécois

The PQ ends the year on top, hitting around forty per cent support in a recent poll.

In what could be seen as a show of strength, leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says his party would even be ready for an early election in 2026.

“We have the feeling that the CAQ has played all their cards. None of them are convincing to the population, obviously. Well, let’s go,” said St-Pierre Plamondon says his party would even be ready for an early election in 2026.

But Béland says their commitment to a third referendum could become a major liability.

As the province moves closer to election day, Béland says voters may get cold feet.

“But what’s the alternative? What will be the alternative at the time?” asked Béland. “Right now, the PQ is like the default option.”

Montrealers CityNews spoke to say, “From what I understand, the PQ are very much on board with what’s happening at English institutions.”

While another said, “The (PQ’s) objectives are commendable, but there are many questions that can be asked. So, I really don’t know yet which party I’m going to vote for.”

–with files from Zachary Cheung