Quebec’s political parties are making their final pitches to voters with just days to go before the provincial election. Indigenous issues, immigration and Quebec’s relationship with the monarchy were among the topics on the campaign trail Wednesday. Several parties made commitments aimed at improving relations with First Nations and Inuit as Canada marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon also defended his proposal to abolish the office of lieutenant-governor. His political rivals also weighed in on the proposal. Quebecers go to the polls on Oct. 5. Key details: Follow along for the latest updates: Foreign interference: Fréchette admits she should have waited before reacting CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette admits that she reacted too quickly to reports of possible foreign interference by the United States in the Quebec election campaign. “I should have waited until I had more information before speaking out, and that’s what I would do differently,” she said in an interview with Patrick Lagacé on 98.5 on Thursday morning. - The Canadian Press. Despite higher costs, Québec Solidaire still supports high-speed rail project Québec Solidaire says it still supports the high-speed rail project between Quebec City and Toronto, even though the cost could end up being higher than expected. The Parliamentary Budget Officer in Ottawa estimates the project could cost between $75 and 113 billion. The federal government and Crown corporation Alto had estimated the cost at $60 to 90 billion. Thursday, Québec Solidaire spokesperson Ruba Ghazal defended the project’s merit, but called on Alto to be transparent. - The Canadian Press. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon wants anglos to vote for him Parti Québécois (PQ) Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon tells The Andrew Carter Morning Show on CJAD 800 why he thinks anglophones in the province should vote for him, despite his party’s push for a sovereigntist referendum. - Rachel Lau, CTV News digital journalist. PCQ wants 4 privately funded hospitals The Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ) says it wants to establish four new hospitals in Quebec, built and operated by the private sector. The party says it wants to further open the health care system to the private sector, though Quebec patients would be able to receive care free of charge using their health insurance card. To achieve this, the government “would purchase care through contracts.” “When the public sector cannot treat you within a medically reasonable timeframe, or when the private sector offers care at a lower cost, you should be able to see another qualified provider — including in the private sector — using your health insurance card,” said Leader Éric Duhaime. “Access to care should not depend on the size of your wallet.” - The Canadian Press. Milliard tries to win over undecided voters in Estrie Liberal Leader Charles Milliard is returning to Estrie in a last-ditch effort to win over undecided voters. The race is tight in the region, a former PQ stronghold, and it remains uncertain whether Milliard will secure a victory in his own riding of Orford. Since the start of the election campaign, Milliard has spent seven days in Estrie in the hopes of making significant gains there. - The Canadian Press. Day 36 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 slated to hold a press conference in front of the RAMQ building in Quebec City at 8:30 a.m. He will then take part in a march for seniors at 9:30 a.m. at Parc de la Francophonie. At 1:15 p.m., he will have lunch and visit the Galeries de la Capitale, and at 5:30 p.m., he will attend a campaign event at the Malt.Co brewery in Quebec City. Ruba Ghazal (Québec Solidaire) QS Spokesperson Ruba Ghazal is expected to hold a press briefing about housing measures at 9:30 a.m. at the pond at Ahuntsic Park in Montreal. At 6:15 p.m., she is set to meet with activists for the fifth Rendez-vous des possible at the Taschereau campaign office in Quebec City. Charles Milliard (Quebec Liberal Party) Liberal Leader Charles Milliard is expected to hold a press conference on his economic priorities at 10 a.m. at the Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital in Cowansville. He will then meet with stakeholders from the Estrie health care network at 10:30 a.m. before travelling to Sherbrooke to have lunch with party supporters at Caffucino Rock Forest at 12:30 p.m. and take part in the International Day for Seniors celebrations at Victoria Park at 2 p.m. At 3:30 p.m., he will mingle with the public at the Carrefour de l’Estrie, and at 6:25 p.m., he will do the same at the Léopold-Drolet Sports Palace before the Sherbrooke Phoenix hockey game. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon (Parti Québécois) PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is slated to start his day with a press briefing on access to drinking water at 10:45 a.m. in Plessisville. He will then have lunch at the Rétro-pop restaurant at 11:50 a.m. before taking a walk through Plessisville and stopping by Café Aléa at 12:40 p.m. At 2:30 p.m., he will hold a press scrum at the Quai de Sainte-Angèle in Bécancour and stop by the Ô Quai Des Brasseurs microbrewery at 4 p.m. Christine Fréchette (Coalition Avenir Québec) CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette is set to meet with residents at 1:20 p.m. at the Roussin Community Centre in Pointe-aux-Trembles. She is expected to then travel to Greater Montreal to meet with residents at Chez-nous des Artistes Inc. at 3:10 p.m. and visit the Bâton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar in Candiac at 5:30 p.m. The leaders
