Quebec’s five main political parties hit the campaign trail Sunday as the provincial election campaign entered its fourth day. The general election is scheduled for Oct. 5. Key details: Follow along for the latest updates: Quebec party leaders Quebecers’ top priorities Health care is the top concern among voters (54 per cent), followed by inflation and the cost of living (41 per cent) and housing (34 per cent). Instability and the trade war with the U.S. follow. Synopsis Recherche surveyed approximately 1,000 Quebec adults between Aug. 24 and 26, 2026. Robin Della Corte, CTVNewsMontreal.ca Seat count in National Assembly At dissolution of the National Assembly on Thursday, the CAQ held a majority. The following is the seat count at dissolution compared to the count after the 2022 election: Robin Della Corte, CTVNewsMontreal.ca CAQ presents fiscal framework The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) presented its fiscal framework on Sunday, the fourth day of the campaign, putting pressure on the other parties to do the same. The CAQ projects a deficit—that is, a shortfall in public finances—of more than $1.8 billion in 2028–2029, $2 billion in 2029–2030, and another $2 billion in 2030–2031, meaning nearly $6 billion must be found to achieve a balanced budget. The CAQ estimates the cost of its campaign promises at $9 billion over five years, but is counting in particular on federal transfers and a reduction in the contingency reserve to achieve a balanced budget in 2029–2030. Christine Fréchette’s party also plans to add $6 billion to the Quebec Infrastructure Plan, bringing the total to $180 billion within five years. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 30, 2026. CAQ disputes PQ version of events Former CAQ Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon has weighed in on the election campaign, contradicting Stéphane Paquet, the PQ candidate in Pointe-aux-Trembles. On Friday, Paquet claimed to have personally warned Fitzgibbon about the risks of investing in Northvolt when he was CEO of Montréal International. “That conversation seems implausible to me,” Pierre Fitzgibbon replied in a written statement first sent to Radio-Canada and then to The Canadian Press on Sunday. “Paquet and the Montréal International team were not involved in matters related to the “Energy Transition Valley” innovation zone. The team (...) consisted of (...) about fifteen people. The federal government was also involved. Paquet and Montréal International were not part of it," the statement said. “Consequently, Paquet’s comments strike me as purely electioneering and opportunistic,” concludes the former heavyweight in the Legault government. For the Parti Québécois (PQ), failure of Northvolt is the ultimate symbol of the “squandering of public funds.” During a stop Friday in McMasterville, where Northvolt was set to locate, candidate Paquet claimed to have personally intervened with Fitzgibbon. “Pierre Fitzgibbon can confirm this; I approached him to say, ‘There are other companies that are less risky. (...) You should consider all your options.’” Montréal International has consistently defended the Northvolt project in public. Stéphane Paquet even co-signed a letter of support—along with Michel Leblanc of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, among others—in January 2024. “I remain very perplexed by Stéphane Paquet’s about-face, as he is now distancing himself from (...) his own words,” said Leblanc, who is running for the Liberal Party, in a post on X on Friday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 30, 2026. Cap rent increases in private senior residences Liberal leader Charles Milliard promises to cap rent and service fee increases in private senior residences (RPA). Furthermore, if a residence wishes to exceed this cap, it will have to demonstrate before the Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL) that the increase is justified. Currently, it is the senior’s responsibility to challenge the increase. The Liberals are therefore proposing to reverse this burden of proof. “However, this new protection must never come at the expense of care. A senior living facility will not be able to reduce the frequency or intensity of essential care provided to a resident to comply with the cap,” the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) stated in a press release on Sunday. The Liberals argue that the average cost of a residence in a retirement home has increased by 18 per cent over four years. “We will protect our seniors’ wallets while preserving the small retirement homes that care for them across Quebec,” the Liberal leader assured. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 30, 2026.
