CAQ to call Chicoutimi byelection Tuesday

Quebec Municipal Affairs Minister Andree Laforest at her office in Saguenay Que. Wednesday, March 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

By Caroline Plante, The Canadian Press

Posted January 20, 2026 9:17 am.

Last Updated January 20, 2026 10:20 am.

The François Legault government will call a byelection in the riding of Chicoutimi, in Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean on Tuesday.

This election will fill the seat left vacant by former Minister of Municipal Affairs Andrée Laforest, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Saguenay last fall.

On Tuesday, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) is also expected to confirm the identity of its candidate.

The CAQ candidate will face Marie-Karlynn Laflamme of the Parti Québécois (PQ), Catherine Morissette of the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ), and Jeanne Palardy of Québec solidaire (QS).

The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) has not yet announced a candidate.

Chicoutimi voters will go to the polls on Feb. 23.

Before falling into the hands of the CAQ in 2018, the riding of Chicoutimi had long been a PQ stronghold.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews

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