Quebec votes 2026: 2/3rd of voters say they want change as PQ solidifies lead; PCQ tops 2nd choice

Less than two weeks to go before the Oct. 5 voting day, a new poll shows the Parti Québécois (PQ) gaining momentum among francophone voters as the party continues its lead.

In a Léger–Le Journal–TVA poll conducted fully after the first two election debates, PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is increasingly seen as the best premier candidate with a quarter of the voters also saying he has run the best campaign in the past week.

The Conservatives (PCQ) also showed strength with 17 per cent of voters citing the party as their second choice, a gain of three percentage points in one week. In the Quebec City area, Éric Duhaime’s party gaining the support of 34 per cent of voters.

“It’s very encouraging to see that the conservatives keep going up, that we’re leading now by 11% in the Quebec City region,” Duhaime told CityNews in a one-on-one interview.

The overall voter intention share showed little movement compared to the pollster’s survey last week, with the PQ holding its lead with 29 per cent of vote, the Quebec Liberals (PLQ) coming in second with 23 per cent of the vote share.

Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) slipped one percentage point to 20 per cent. The PCQ and the Québec solidaire (QS) maintained their fourth and fifth spots with 17 per cent and 10 per cent of the vote share respectively.

Some analysts think that the party could be entering a majority territory if the PQ’s momentum continued.

“Today’s a good news for the PQ. Why? Because not only for the Francophones, he has a lead over 13 per cent compared to the other parties, which is a significant gap,” said Daniel Tran, a political analyst.

“He also has to push forward and communicate on why he’s the leader for all Quebecers,” Tran added. “And this is where he can try to get the gap to form a minority to a majority government.”

Montrealers that spoke to CityNews said that they would like parties focus on public services and infrastructure, rather than the PQ Leader’s insistence on holding a referendum.

“I don’t like Parti Quebecois,” said Hitesh Alipuria. “I don’t like the separatists at all. So being an immigrant here for 10 years, my vote is for the Liberals. But I guess whatever they’re saying is resonating with the people.”

“I think everything needs to be fixed,” said Sebastien Labonter. “From the infrastructure, health care, education. It would be nice if a government actually holds its promises for once and has the interests of Quebecers at heart.”

Cost of living and housing ranked as top issues motivating their vote (53 per cent), followed by wanting improvements in public services (46 per cent). 

The poll was conducted online between Sept. 18 and 21, among 1,001 eligible voters. The pollster reports that the margin of error as (+/-) 3.10 per cent.

Quebecers head to the polls on Oct. 5. Advance polling is scheduled for Sept. 27 and 28.

— With files from Lola Kalder