Polls closed across Quebec on 5 October 2026 and the count is now under way, with Élections Québec reporting that nearly a quarter of electors had already cast their ballots in advance polls and just over 45 per cent had voted by 5 p.m. on election day. The contest, which could end two consecutive Coalition Avenir Québec majority governments, has seen party leaders frame the choice as a referendum on Quebec’s future relationship with Canada.
Advance Voting Shows Strong Engagement
Élections Québec confirmed that advance participation was robust, with roughly 24 per cent of the electorate having voted before the official polling day. By late afternoon on 5 October, the agency said that just over 45 per cent of registered voters had already submitted their ballots, a figure that suggests overall turnout could surpass recent provincial elections. The high level of early engagement underscores the intensity of the campaign, which has been dominated by debates over sovereignty, economic policy and the prospect of a new referendum.
Party Leaders Make Their Final Pitches
On the eve of the vote, each leader took to the streets to make a last appeal. Parti Québécois Leader Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon, casting his own ballot in a Montreal‑area riding, declared: “The change you are hoping for is in your hands,” St‑Pierre Plamondon said as he went to cast his own ballot in his Montreal‑area riding. “It’s up to you to take this opportunity and I encourage all Quebecers to go out and vote.” He added that he was proud of his party’s campaign, noting it was the only one to visit all of the province’s regions.
Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette, voting in Trois‑Rivières, urged electors to consider the consequences of a sovereignty push: “I’m inviting Quebecers to reflect about what happens next,” she said “Do they want a government who will commit us to a referendum campaign that shakes up everything, or to remain with a government that is betting on economic stability and improving services?” She later expressed regret that her campaign had not emphasised enough the threat of a referendum, warning: “It’s important for people to realize this, because it’s not just a decision that could affect Quebec in three years,” she said Sunday. “There will be impacts because uncertainty will become part of Quebec’s political and economic calendar.”
Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard, who voted in North Hatley, stressed his party’s federalist stance: “We will work hard until the last minute,” he said. “It is part of my personality.” He urged voters wary of a PQ government to back Liberal candidates strategically, adding: “One party that Mr. St‑Pierre Plamondon won’t be calling up is the Liberal Party of Quebec, because we’re proudly federalist and not ashamed to say it,” he said. Milliard also noted that his party had gained momentum after critics pointed out the absence of his image on the campaign bus, a gap that was later filled.
Québec solidaire co‑spokesperson Ruba Ghazal, casting her vote in a Montreal riding, reminded supporters: “We’ve been talking about this for 40 days,” said Ghazal as she arrived at the polling station. “Today, it is Quebecers who will have their say.” In Montreal she appealed to progressive sovereigntists uneasy with the PQ’s austerity platform, saying: “Send a signal that not all of Quebec has swung to the right or turned conservative, and also send people who will be the only ones to stand up to Éric Duhaime’s influence in the next parliament,” she said on Sunday.
Quebec Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime, voting on the south shore of Quebec City, framed the election as a defence of democratic norms: “The election campaign is over,” Duhaime said. “Today, Quebecers have a unique opportunity to continue to show our (commitment) to our democracy.” He pledged to act as a “guard dog” to protect taxpayer interests and block any referendum vote, adding: “I’m very, very serene, and I have confidence,” Duhaime said. “The only thing is, we have to make sure people go out and vote.”
What the Results Mean for Quebec’s Future
With 127 seats in the National Assembly, a party needs 64 to form a majority. Prior to the vote the CAQ held 79 seats, the Liberals 18, Québec solidaire 11 and the PQ seven, alongside nine independents and a single Conservative. Should no party cross the majority threshold, the balance of power could rest with smaller groupings, potentially giving the Conservatives leverage under Duhaime’s “guard dog” promise. The outcome will determine whether Quebec moves toward a renewed sovereignty push under a PQ government or continues along a path of economic stability and federalist governance championed by the CAQ, Liberals and Conservatives.
Why it Matters
This election serves as a bellwether for Quebec’s political direction, testing whether voters prioritise constitutional change or economic security in an era of heightened uncertainty. The turnout figures signal an engaged electorate, while the competing narratives around a possible referendum will shape intergovernmental relations, investment confidence and the province’s social agenda for years to come. The result will not only decide who governs Quebec but also signal how the province navigates its place within Canada and on the global stage.
