PQ draft platform lays out sweeping policy shifts ahead of party convention

Parti Quebecois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon speaks during a news conference marking the end of the fall session at the legislature in Quebec City, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. PQ caucus members, Megane Perry-Melancon, from the left, Joel Arseneau, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, Catherine Gentilcore and Alex Boissonneault. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

A future Parti Québécois (PQ) government could find itself in renewed conflict with Quebec’s medical profession, according to a draft platform set to be presented this weekend at the party’s convention in Saint-Hyacinthe.

The document comes months after the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government was forced to retreat from proposed reforms to physician compensation following pushback from medical federations. Some PQ members now appear ready to revisit the issue.

The draft platform, which contains more than 300 proposals, calls for a review of how doctors are paid, though it does not specify what changes would be made.

Physician incorporation

The working document also recommends banning the incorporation of physicians — a move that would likely stir controversy within the profession, which has had the right to incorporate since 2007.

Incorporation allows physicians to reduce their tax burden.

In 2022, tax losses attributed to physician incorporation totalled at least $252.5 million for the two levels of government, according to a study by research group the Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques (IRIS).

Party members will vote on the proposals at the convention. If adopted, they could form part of the PQ’s platform for the provincial election next fall.

Labour and unions

The convention is also expected to feature the president of union group the Fédération des travailleurs du Québec (FTQ), Magali Picard, who confirmed her attendance earlier this month.

Unions have been sharply critical of the CAQ government, particularly over proposed legislation that would impose new requirements on labour organizations and make a portion of union dues optional.

In a recent interview with The Canadian Press, Picard said she would accept all invitations she receives during this election year. The FTQ no longer formally endorses a political party, as it once did.

The CAQ has previously accused PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon of being beholden to the FTQ.

Within the draft platform, one proposal calls for “clearly affirming a bias in favour of workers,” while another seeks to “facilitate the unionization of all workers.” The PQ also proposes offering 10 days of paid leave to victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Independence

Numerous resolutions on other topics will also be debated.

Consistent with its pledge to hold a referendum on independence during a first mandate, should it form government, the PQ proposes using public funds to prepare for independence. It also calls for the appointment of a minister of state “responsible for coordinating all ministerial activities related to preparing for independence.”

A PQ government could also sever ties with companies registered in tax havens, barring them from receiving public contracts or subsidies.

Education

On education, a St-Pierre Plamondon government is considering the creation of a National Commission on Education and could commit to ending what it describes as a three-tier school system.

The draft platform proposes prohibiting publicly funded schools from “selecting their students.” It would also require subsidized private schools to admit “a certain proportion” of students with learning difficulties and would “gradually” reduce subsidies to those institutions, while offering them the option of becoming fully state-funded.

The PQ would also propose guaranteeing meals in public elementary schools for all children in Quebec.

Party members are also floating the idea of a framework law to protect freedom of expression. The proposal would require CEGEPs, universities, public media and the civil service to adopt freedom-of-expression policies and would aim to guarantee “the free circulation of literary and artistic works.”

Immigration

On immigration, the PQ is maintaining its push to reduce intake levels.

The party would call to abolish the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Members are also proposing a moratorium on permanent economic immigration and a reduction of temporary immigration by at least half — from 600,000 non-permanent residents in the second quarter of 2024 to between 250,000 and 300,000 by the end of a four-year mandate.

They further suggest setting the number of temporary foreign workers under Quebec’s own program at around 40,000 and capping international students at 50,000.

The PQ would maintain its proposed annual threshold of 35,000 permanent immigrants.

Environment

Among the climate-related proposals is the introduction of a carbon budget, an idea previously promoted by former PQ MNA and minister Sylvain Gaudreault.

The budget would be tabled annually and would require a comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as follow-up on action plans aimed at reducing them.

PQ members also propose adding environmental criteria to the rules governing the awarding of public contracts.

- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 23, 2026.