New poll show Lisee, Ouellet gaining on Cloutier in PQ leadership race

Parti Quebecois MNA Jean-Francois Lisee responds to reporters' questions before entering a party caucus meeting on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at the legislature in Quebec City. (The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot)

Veronique Hivon’s withdrawal from the Parti Quebecois leadership race is paying dividends for some of her former rivals, according to a new poll.

While Alexandre Cloutier remains in the lead, his advantage has shrunk according to a survey conducted by Leger, The Gazette and the Journal de Montreal.

Cloutier’s support among PQ members now stands at 39 per cent while Jean-Francois Lisee has 23 per cent and Martine Ouellet has 18 per cent. Non-MNA Paul St-Pierre Plamondon brings up the rear, with one per cent support.

While Cloutier’s numbers have gone up two per cent since another poll conducted in mid-June, Ouellet saw a bump of 11 per cent and Lisee saw his number of supporters rise eight per cent in that same period.