Quebec provincial election campaign issues

Canada — Quebecers are heading to the polls in early October 2026, after eight years of Canada — Coalition Avenir Québec governance. The campaign is dominated by several key issues: sovereignty, energy and natural resources, housing and cost of living, U.S. trade, and finance. The Canada — Parti Québécois leads in the polls and its leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has promised a referendum by 2030 if his party forms government, though he has said no referendum will happen while Donald Trump remains in office. Canada — Quebec and Canada — Newfoundland and Labrador have reached a tentative multi-billion-dollar deal on Canada — Churchill Falls power and new hydro, wind, and transmission projects, but it is not finalized. The U.S. has introduced new 50% tariffs on Canadian exports worth $28 billion, which could affect $7.7 billion in Canada — Quebec exports. Canada — Quebec's auditor general has warned of a multi-billion dollar deficit requiring cuts of at least $2 billion next year and up to $5 billion the following year.