The leaders of Quebec’s main political parties are continuing on the campaign trail ahead of the Oct. 5 provincial election. Key details: Follow along for the latest updates: Conservative candidate will not run Éric Duhaime also announced that his candidate in Pontiac, an anti-abortion pastor, will not be running in the election. Le Journal de Montréal reported Wednesday morning that Éric Lanthier, among other controversial positions, “said he was in favor of conversion therapy to change sexual orientation and suppress homosexual behavior.” Duhaime said he preferred to answer questions related to financial policy rather than the moral values of these candidates. “I want to bring Quebecers together; I don’t want to divide them. And I’m not part of the culture of cancellation. It’s not true that someone today—whether they have religious beliefs or are an atheist—doesn’t have the right to be involved in politics,” he said. Regarding Éric Lanthier’s resignation, Duhaime said: “The Quebec Conservative Party is a pro-choice party, and there’s no question of that changing. And you also understand that the person leading it is gay.” Liberal leader Charles Milliard criticized Duhaime for not having withdrawn his candidate. “I understand that he withdrew and that it wasn’t Duhaime who withdrew him. Duhaime presented his financial framework to us this morning, but he could also present his moral framework because Éric Lanthier’s remarks—particularly regarding conversion therapy—‘are completely unacceptable,’” Milliard said. The Canadian Press Fréchette calls herself ‘Captain Quebec’ “This isn’t the time to learn the ropes,” CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette says to voters tempted to vote for one of her rivals who has never served as premier. Fréchette, herself, has been premier for a little over four months. READ MORE: Canada responds to new U.S. trade measures as Trump signs flurry of executive orders “I’ve been put to the test as premier since April,” she said. “The experience that matters most is knowing how to govern.” “Right now, we’re in the middle of a storm,” she said, referring to the ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States. “If I had to give myself a title, it would be Captain Quebec,” she said. ”I work for Quebec, and we’re working hard for businesses, to protect our jobs.” - The Canadian Press. PQ to pursue referendum if elected Parti Québécois (PQ) Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says he would push ahead with a referendum on Quebec sovereignty even without a majority government. “Whether we’re in a minority or majority, that commitment doesn’t change,” he said. St-Pierre Plamondon is urging voters to elect a majority PQ government to give his party greater freedom to act on issues including health, education and homelessness. Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime reacted, calling on voters to give his party the “balance of power” to “block any referendum project.” “If they’re a minority, I’m telling you right now, if we hold the balance of power, there won’t be instability because there won’t be a referendum,” Duhaime said. Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard accused St-Pierre Plamondon of having “one single obsession.” “I have a message for Quebecers: if people don’t want a referendum, there’s only one choice, and that’s the Quebec Liberal Party,” Milliard said. - The Canadian Press. Fréchette reopens door to fundraising cocktails Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) Leader Christine Fréchette says she has not ruled out resuming her party’s fundraising activities, in the company of ministers, if she is re-elected. In 2024, following a controversy over party financing, then-party leader François Legault put an end to public fundraising activities where donors could meet with a minister in exchange for a $100 donation. As a result, mayors had contributed more than $100,000 to the CAQ’s election fund, according to a compilation obtained by The Canadian Press. “In my opinion, it could be worthwhile to have ministers participate in events. Now, we’ll have to see if it complies with the rules,” Fréchette said, insisting that her party “cannot be bought” with $100 donations. - The Canadian Press. PCQ aiming for balanced budget in 4 years with major cuts The Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ) presented its fiscal framework on Wednesday, including a major restructuring of government finances that would return a balanced budget within four years. “This is a major change,” said PCQ Leader Éric Duhaime as he presented the document of about 100 pages. “A real shift in direction...a paradigm shift.” As previously announced, the PCQ says it plans to save $47 billion over five years by cutting government spending, including eliminating 20,000 civil service positions. “The total cost of the promises over five years is $52.57 billion,” said candidate Adrien Pouliot, party spokesperson on public finances. “We’ll finance that with $60.3 billion in additional revenue.” The PCQ says it plans to phase out most business aid and subsidies to redirect those funds toward tax cuts, generating $19.47 billion. - The Canadian Press. PLQ to eliminate jobs to improve efficiency If elected, the Quebec Liberal Party says it will eliminate 12,000 full-time civil service positions over five years. This comes as Liberal Leader Charles Milliard unveils his plan to improve government efficiency, an issue highlighted by several parties during the campaign. Milliard says his party wants to gradually bring the government back to a proper size. - The Canadian Press. CAQ wants to revamp construction practices to reduce costs The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) is pledging to improve infrastructure construction practices to reduce costs. CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette argued that we must “build better” and “make better use of every dollar,” given that construction costs are rising amid growing infrastructure needs. The CAQ reiterated that, if re-elected, it plans to invest $167 billion in infrastructure over the next ten years. The asset maintenance deficit already exceeds $44 billion. - The Canadian Press. Back-to-back interviews The leaders of Quebec’s main political parties are headed to Quebec City for back-to-back interviews on Radio-Canada. Tariffs, the cost of living, education and language are among the key issues dominating the election campaign so far. Polls show voters are paying close attention, in particular, to how leaders are addressing affordability, which has become a central issue. - The Canadian Press. Day 14: Here is where the party leaders are planning to start their day, in order of first appearance: Éric Duhaime (Quebec Conservative Party) Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime is holding a press conference at the Quebec City Convention Centre at 8:05 a.m. before holding a press briefing at 10:30 a.m. at a location yet to be announced. Charles Milliard (Quebec Liberal Party) Liberal Leader Charles Milliard is expected to make an announcement on government efficiency at 9 a.m. at Parc de la Francophonie in Quebec City. Christine Fréchette (Coalition Avenir Québec) CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette is set to hold a press conference at Ozias-Leduc High School in Mont-Saint-Hilaire at 9:15 a.m. She will then head to Longueuil to meet with the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) general council at the Maison de l’UPA at 2 p.m. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon (Parti Québécois) PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is holding a press briefing on home ownership at 9:15 a.m. on de la Varappe Street in Quebec City alongside candidates Mathieu Foltz (Chauveau), Gabriel Coulombe (Charlesbourg), Chloé Fauchon (Louis-Hébert), Nathalie Gagnon (Montmorency) and Simon Di Genova (CNJ President). Ruba Ghazal (Québec Solidaire) QS spokesperson Ruba Ghazal has no campaign-related activities scheduled for Wednesday. The leaders
