A new Quebec election poll conducted by Synopsis Recherche for La Presse shows the Parti Québécois (PQ) and the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) neck-and-neck, with the PQ’s early lead narrowing. Key details: The leaders Follow along for the latest updates: PQ vows to end ‘open bar’ for foreign multinationals A day after Quebec’s election was called, PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon attacked the CAQ’s economic record at the former Northvolt site, calling failed, “poorly designed” projects like it the CAQ’s “trademark” after eight years in power. He pledged to close the “open bar” on subsidies to foreign multinationals and instead cut Quebec SMEs’ corporate tax rate from 11.5 per cent to 9.5 per cent — saving a company with $5 million in taxable income about $90,000 a year. He said the cut would be funded by scrapping the Fonds de développement économique and reducing state “overintervention,” and would also pursue a broad deregulatory push to cut red tape for businesses. - Noovo Info CAQ announces new candidates The Coalition Avenir Québec announced Friday that Marc Grandbois will run in the Dubuc region and François Cormier will run in Lac-Saint-Jean. Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette said both candidates are well-versed in international trade and culture, issues she said she aims to highlight during the campaign. Grandbois has three decades of experience in the arts, business management, natural resource export and public service sectors. “Based in L’Anse-Saint-Jean, he is well acquainted with the realities of the regions he defends with conviction, the value of work carried out with rigour, and the importance of balancing economic development with cultural identity,” the press release states. Cormier is a professor of accounting and management at Collège d’Alma. His areas of focus include youth, professional and economic development. “Well-known in the business community, particularly for his involvement with OSEntreprendre and his role as a mentor with the Mentorat Saguenay network, François Cormier aims to put his experience and expertise to work for the citizens of Lac-Saint-Jean,” the release said. Robin Della Corte, CTVNewsMontreal.ca Election poll: CAQ, PQ neck-and-neck Voting intentions Among decided voters, the PQ under Paul St-Pierre Plamondon leads with 28 per cent, followed closely by the CAQ under Christine Fréchette at 27 per cent, up seven points since early August. The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) (Charles Milliard) sits at 20 per cent, down six points, while the Conservative Party (PCQ) (Éric Duhaime) trails at 14 per cent and Québec Solidaire (Ruba Ghazal) at 10 per cent. Choice for premier Fréchette edges out Plamondon as Quebecers’ top pick for premier at 26 per cent to 23 per cent, though “none of the above” ties for third at 23 per cent. Government approval Quebecers are almost evenly split on the Fréchette government, with 43 per cent satisfied and 45 per cent dissatisfied, largely unchanged from early August. Opinion of leaders Fréchette is the only leader with net-positive sympathy (+8 points). Saint-Pierre Plamondon (-4), Milliard (-12), Ghazal (-17) and Duhaime (-32) are all losing ground. Sovereignty Support for Quebec independence holds steady at 31 per cent among those with an opinion on the issue, against 69 per cent opposed, unchanged since early August. Top priorities Health care remains the top concern among voters (54 per cent), followed by inflation and the cost of living (41 per cent) and housing (34 per cent). Concern over instability and the trade war with the U.S. jumped nine points to 29 per cent, driven largely by CAQ voters (48 per cent), far more than PQ (27 per cent) or QS voters (10 per cent). The survey was conducted by Synopsis Recherche among 1,009 Quebec adults between Aug. 24 and 26, 2026. Amy Luft, CTVNewsMontreal.ca CAQ proposes expanding QPIP CAQ leader Christine Fréchette says she senses “a great openness” and “a buzz” around her. “My poll numbers are very favorable,” she said on the second day of her campaign, during a news conference in Rimouski. Fréchette announced an initial commitment on Friday aimed at families: the CAQ proposes to enhance the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP), in particular to allow fathers to spend more time with their babies. The CAQ leader emphasized that the QPIP was a “collective success,” but that it needed to “evolve” alongside Quebec families. In particular, the CAQ wants to extend paternity leave by two weeks and make the program more flexible to better involve grandparents and other close relatives. The party also proposes to improve benefits in the event of perinatal bereavement. Fréchette said that an increase in premiums is not necessary and that the program is self-funding. The Canadian Press Trade war looming over sovereignty debate The trade war with the United States is changing electoral priorities, experts say. A new report released by National Bank a few days before the campaign began found that Quebec is facing the highest effective tariff rate on exports among all of the provinces. It’s a situation that already appears to be placing Paul St-Pierre Plamondon on the defensive as his opponents argue it would be unwise to separate while Trump is threatening Canadian sovereignty. The Canadian Press PCQ has ‘high hopes’ ahead of election The leader of the Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ), Éric Duhaime, says he has high hopes for the Oct. 5 election. Duhaime says he expects his party to make significant inroads with voters. “This year is our year. 2026 is the year of the Conservatives,” said Duhaime at the launch of his election campaign in the riding of Bellechasse, where he is set to run for office. The Canadian Press
