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Quebec Conservative Leader Eric Duhaime speaks to the media during a campaign stop in Montreal on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. Quebec votes in a provincial election on Oct. 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
By The Canadian Press

Quebec party leaders to take the stage for final debate of election campaign

Sep 23, 2026 | 2:00 AM

MONTREAL — Quebec party leaders are gearing up for their third and final debate of the provincial election campaign in the evening.

The debate will be hosted by Radio-Canada at 8 p.m. and will feature all five party leaders.

Leaders will spar on five themes: the future of Quebec, the economy, cuts to taxes and public services, childcare, and health.

The party leaders have faced questions in recent days about potential alliances if no party succeeds in forming a majority.

Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said Monday that an alliance was out of the question, after his rivals suggested his ideas are similar to those of Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime.

Quebec voters go to the polls on Oct. 5.

Poll aggregator Qc125 suggests the Parti Québécois remains the front-runner but that a minority outcome remains the most likely scenario.

Sovereignty, affordability and the trade war with the U.S. have been among the top issues so far in the campaign.


This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press