The Parti Québécois (PQ) has recruited another journalist ahead of the fall election. This time, Stéphanie Martin of the Journal de Québec is making the jump into politics. Martin, who also worked at Le Soleil for many years, will seek election in the Quebec City riding of Vanier-Les Rivières. In a statement released by the Parti Québécois on Monday morning, Martin said the Capitale-Nationale region has been “neglected” in recent years as it faces “a significant rise in social issues, particularly an explosion in homelessness.” PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon welcomed Martin’s arrival. “Stéphanie’s candidacy adds to a strong team that the Parti Québécois is putting together for the Capitale-Nationale,” he said on social media. Martin, who is also the author of five historical novels, has been vocal about her support for Quebec independence. “I also want to convince people from the generation before mine to come back into the fold. Not to mention my own generation, which is pragmatic and needs to hear the arguments for independence,” she said. Earlier this month, the PQ announced the candidacy of another journalist from Quebecor’s media outlets, Jean-François Cloutier, who will run for the party in the riding of Montarville. The party also counts former Radio-Canada journalist Alex Boissonneault among its elected members. He was elected in the 2025 byelection in Arthabaska. The Quebec election is scheduled for Oct. 5. Premier Christine Fréchette has not yet officially called the election. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 17, 2026.
