Quebec election 2026: Cost of living among issues that matter to Montrealers

With the Quebec provincial election campaign now officially underway, voters in Montreal tells CityNews the cost of living, education and francophone culture are some of the issues that will drive them to the polls Oct. 5.

“The issues based on the recent polls, Léger polls that came out recently, cost of living, health care and what I’m calling the Trump factor is also coming into this election because ultimately people are concerned with the cost of living,” said political analyst Daniel Tran.

“Currently, I think the most important issue is the economic one, particularly the cost of living in Quebec,” said Mohamed Koulibaly.

“I want easy access to education for all because I think everyone deserves that,” said Kyrstyn Kumor. “And I feel like tuition hikes have really skyrocketed.”

“For me personally, that would be culture,” Catherine Bodmer said. “Not to forget that we have a big threat right now in terms of francophone culture, Quebec culture and I think the government should pay attention to this issue closely.”

“I think religious freedom is very important to me,” said Hiyabel Belai. “I think everybody should be able to proclaim what they believe in and share whatever they believe in.”

“Why with the situation economic that we have and the homeless people in the street that’s continuing to grow, we don’t put our money more on the people on the street,” Daniel Théberge said.

“For me, this will be the party that best represents Quebec’s interests to Canada in the context of negotiations with Mr. Trump,” said Claire.

A new Léger poll for Le Journal and TVA Nouvelles reveals that the suburbs of Montreal, the north and south shores, could determine who will be elected as the next government of Quebec.

“For the region of Laval, it is leaning toward the Liberal Party of Quebec,” said Tran. “However for the north and south shore of the greater region of Montreal, this is where a lot of decisions and the balance of power will be decided. It’s going to be really neck and neck as of today between the Parti Québécois and the Coalition Avenir Québec.”

CityNews spoke to some voters who say they haven’t decided who they’ll cast their ballot for yet.

“I’m still hesitating between two parties,” shared Claire. We’ll see how they present their programs during the campaign, and then I’ll be able to decide.”

“I would like to wait for the debates,” Bodmer added. “There is one particularly that interests me about the culture on Sept. 9, but then also the debates of the party leaders a little later on. So I really want to wait until I hear their engagements, hear their ideas.”

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