Quebec’s five main party leaders will take the stage Wednesday night for the third and final French-language debate of the provincial election campaign, with their rivals seeking to slow the momentum of Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon as the Oct. 5 vote draws near.
The two-hour Radio-Canada debate will bring together St-Pierre Plamondon, Liberal Leader Charles Milliard, Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette, Québec solidaire’s Ruba Ghazal and Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime for what is widely seen as one of the final opportunities to reshape the race.
The leaders will debate five themes: the future of Quebec, the economy, taxes and public services, childcare and health care.
Poll aggregator Qc125 suggests the Parti Québécois remains the front-runner, though a minority government remains the most likely outcome. The latest polling has the Liberals in second place and the CAQ in third.
Political observers say the pressure is on Fréchette and Milliard to deliver strong performances as they attempt to position themselves as viable alternatives to a PQ government.
“It’s going to be very important for both Christine Fréchette and Charles Milliard to score points to really put on a strong showing to position themselves as an alternative to the PQ because as of now, the PQ seems poised for the win,” said Leger pollster and Chief Insights Officer Sébastien Dallaire.
Get breaking National news
Daniel Béland said both major challengers face growing concern about the possibility of a PQ victory. “Both the CAQ and the Liberals are nervous that the PQ could win and perhaps even win a majority with barely or just below thirty per cent of support,” he said.
Earlier Wednesday, Quebec Finance Minister Éric Girard promoted the CAQ’s economic platform, including a proposal to reduce corporate taxes on new investments, arguing it would provide a stronger boost to the economy than plans put forward by the PQ or Conservatives.
“It is a much better measure than what is being proposed by the Conservative Party of Quebec or the Parti Québécois,” Girard said.
-
![]()
Will Israel’s Netanyahu be allowed to fly through Canadian airspace? Here’s what Anita Anand says -
![]()
Business Matters: Canada, India aim for trade agreement by G20 summit -
![]()
Canada will address Arctic sovereignty at UNGA after U.S.-Denmark deal on Greenland security: Anand -
![]()
Peter Milobar reunites with the BC Conservatives
For the Liberals, the challenge remains expanding support beyond Montreal and other traditionally Liberal strongholds. Analysts say Milliard has struggled to make inroads with francophone voters in the regions, where support for his party remains weak.
“You cannot win with such a figure, right, you need to boost support among Francophones,” Béland said.
The leaders have also faced questions in recent days about potential alliances should no party win a majority. St-Pierre Plamondon said Monday that an alliance was out of the question after political opponents suggested some of his positions were similar to those of Duhaime’s Conservatives.
Outside the debate venue, the leaders’ campaign buses were greeted by a noisy crowd of supporters and protesters, including striking paramedics, pro-Palestinian activists and environmental groups.
The debate comes after a campaign dominated by discussions about Quebec sovereignty, affordability pressures and the trade war with the United States.
Once the debate concludes, party leaders will enter the final stretch of the campaign, with rivals looking for opportunities to chip away at the PQ’s lead while St-Pierre Plamondon focuses on maintaining his advantage ahead of election day on Oct. 5.
–with files from The Canadian Press
Wipe out the linerals