The candidates in the race to succeed Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois took part in a final debate on Friday evening during a party convention. The exchange, without any real confrontation, gave activists a last chance to form an opinion on the aspiring spokespersons. MNA Etienne Grandmont believes that Québec solidaire (QS) should take inspiration from Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York, who was elected this week on a left-wing platform. “He talked about what New Yorkers were concerned about. He talked to them about housing, transportation, and food. (...) He also didn’t hesitate to point out the 1 per cent minority that is causing problems in Quebec and New York; it’s the same gang,” he said. Former Gaspésie regional public health director Yv Bonnier-Viger believes that QS must reconnect with its activist base and be more active on the ground. “You have to be in touch with the people, and that can only be done through strong and powerful local associations. And that’s what we need to build at QS. We clearly need to have a close relationship with the people, with the unions, with community organizations, and with municipal councilors,” he explained. If he wins the race, Bonnier-Viger does not intend to become a member of Parliament. He believes it is preferable for QS to have a full-time extra-parliamentary spokesperson. On the environment, MNA Sol Zanetti says there is “anxiety that inhibits action.” “When it comes to the environment, we need to be able to inspire hope and enthusiasm, and to do that, we need to appeal to people’s feelings. (...) That’s why I propose that QS form a permanent creative committee where we will consult with artists on a rotating basis who will enlighten us and help us touch people’s hearts,” he argued. Who are the three candidates? Grandmont has been the member of the National Assembly for the Taschereau riding in Quebec City since 2022. He is the only one to have received support within the Solidarity caucus. Members Christine Labrie, Manon Massé, Alexandre Leduc, Andrés Fontecilla, and Vincent Marissal have rallied behind him. Before becoming a member of the National Assembly, he worked as executive director of Accès transports viables. He defended the rights of public and active transportation users, in addition to promoting land use planning that would help combat climate change. Zanetti has represented the riding of Jean-Lesage, also in Quebec City, since 2018. He has received the support of former QS members Émilise Lessard-Therrien and Catherine Dorion. A fervent separatist, Zanetti is a former philosophy professor and union adviser. He has also worked as a patient attendant and mental health worker. Bonnier-Viger is the only unelected candidate in this race. He has received the support of former QS spokesperson and member Amir Khadir. The medical specialist is a former regional public health director for Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine. He also owns a small vegetable farm. He unsuccessfully attempted to get elected in the riding of Gaspé in 2022. The winner of the race will be announced on Saturday. Challenges ahead The last two years have been challenging for QS, notably with the release of former MNA Catherine Dorion’s hard-hitting book and the resignation of Lessard-Therrien just a few months after being elected party spokesperson. Both women criticized Nadeau-Dubois’ leadership. He announced his departure last March, saying he was “worn out” by the crises that had rocked his party. QS was also rocked by controversy sparked by Maurice-Richard MNA Haroun Bouazzi, who claimed that he saw “every day” in the National Assembly “the construction of this Other” whose culture “would be dangerous or inferior.” In addition, MNAs Christine Labrie (Sherbrooke) and Massé (Sainte-Marie–Saint-Jacques) announced that they would not be running in the next election. The next QS spokesperson will have their work cut out for them between now and the next election as the party is at an all-time low in the polls. According to the poll aggregator Qc125, if elections were held today, the left-wing party would only receive 7 per cent of the vote and would only elect three members (they currently have 12 in the National Assembly). “This is an extremely important moment for our party. (...) It’s a pre-election year. We are clear-headed, I am clear-headed. I see the challenges ahead, but I also see the opportunities. We are the only choice for progressives,“ said QS spokesperson Ruba Ghazal on Friday evening. ”I say this with conviction tonight: the difficult times are behind us, and this convention is a new beginning for Québec solidaire," she assured. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2025. By Thomas Laberge, The Canadian Press
