Quebec votes 2026: party leaders take stage for final debate of campaign

MONTREAL — Quebec party leaders are gearing up for their third and final debate of the provincial election campaign in the evening.

The debate will be hosted by Radio-Canada at 8 p.m. and will feature all five party leaders.

Leaders will spar on five themes: the future of Quebec, the economy, cuts to taxes and public services, childcare, and health.

Political analyst Daniel Tran said the debate comes at a particularly important moment for the leaders, with the latest polling showing the PQ continuing to gain ground.

“Tonight is really important for everyone because it is the championship ground for them,” Tran said.

He said the PQ will have to defend its momentum, while its opponents will have an opportunity to challenge the party over issues including the possibility of another sovereignty referendum.

The debate also comes as a new controversy involving the PQ emerged Wednesday.

Amnesty International accused the party of a pattern of harassment and intimidation involving psychiatrist Marie-Ève Cotton, after several complaints were filed against her with the Collège des médecins by people associated with the PQ. The organization said its analysis concluded Cotton’s rights to freedom of expression, academic freedom and defending human rights had been violated.

Tran said the issue may not have a major impact on the debate itself, arguing that while political observers are following the story closely, many voters may be more focused on issues affecting their everyday lives.

The five debate themes are expected to put pressure on the leaders to explain how their campaign promises would be financed.

Tran pointed to promises around housing, family policy, immigration and tuition as examples of issues that could come under scrutiny when the leaders discuss the province’s finances.

The campaign has also featured competing visions on Quebec’s demographic future. Tran noted the tension between proposals encouraging larger families while parties simultaneously call for tighter immigration policies.

For voters, Wednesday’s debate will be another opportunity to compare the leaders’ positions before election day.

Ahead of the debate Montrealer’s had differing views on how much influence debates have on their decisions.

“I think it’s important, but I feel like the way they did it, they made it feel like it’s a show,” one voter said.

Another said debates are important because they allow voters to see the candidates under pressure and assess their strengths.

“Absolutely because we saw one of the candidates, or rather a female candidate, completely crumble after the debate,” said another Montrealer. “So, it plays a part in democracy; it gives us a chance to see the candidates and discover their true strengths.”

A third voter said the debates provide insight into how the parties view the issues.

The party leaders have also faced questions in recent days about potential alliances if no party succeeds in forming a majority.

Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said Monday that an alliance was out of the question, after his rivals suggested his ideas are similar to those of Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime.

Quebec voters go to the polls on Oct. 5.

Poll aggregator Qc125 suggests the Parti Québécois remains the front-runner but that a minority outcome remains the most likely scenario.

Sovereignty, affordability and the trade war with the U.S. have been among the top issues so far in the campaign.


–With files from The Canadian Press