Quebec Voting Intentions: The PQ Strengthens Several Indicators Amid a Strong Desire for Change

Nearly two-thirds of Quebecers say they want a change in government.

Two weeks before election day, voting intentions remain stable, but several campaign indicators are shifting. The Parti Québécois remains in the lead, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is gaining ground on several leadership measures, and the Conservative Party of Quebec is showing potential beyond its current level of support.

• The PQ remains at 29% among decided voters. Among Francophones, it stands at 37%, compared with 24% for the CAQ.
• Paul St-Pierre Plamondon reaches 26% as the leader who would make the best premier (+4), 27% as the leader who best represents change (+3), and 25% as the leader who ran the best campaign over the past seven days (+10).
• The PCQ reaches 34% in the Quebec City CMA and becomes the party most often cited as voters’ second choice, at 17% (+3).
• 65% of Quebecers want a change in government, up four points. 
• The cost of living and housing ranks first among issues likely to influence the vote (53%), followed by improving public services (46%). 

While provincial voting intentions have changed little, perceptions of the party leaders have moved more noticeably. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon gains ground on three separate measures: who would make the best premier, who best represents change, and who ran the best campaign over the past week. For now, those gains have not translated into higher support for the PQ, which remains stable.

The Conservative vote is also unchanged province-wide. The picture is different, however, in the Quebec City CMA and when voters are asked about their second choice. These results suggest that some voters see the PCQ as an option beyond its current level of support, without indicating that those preferences will necessarily convert into votes.

The desire for change is one of the clearest findings in this wave. It creates a particular challenge for Christine Fréchette: while 65% want a new party to form government, only 9% identify her as the leader who best represents change.

At the same time, when Quebecers are asked directly what will influence their vote, economic concerns and public services rank well ahead of the other issues tested. The campaign is therefore taking place in an electorate that is broadly open to political change, but whose stated priorities remain focused first on everyday concerns.

This online survey was conducted from September 18 to 21, 2026, among 1,001 Quebec respondents aged 18 or older who are eligible to vote. The data were weighted by age, gender, mother tongue, region, education and presence of children in the household. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of no more than ±3.10%, 19 times out of 20.

To cite the results: Leger/Le Journal/TVA survey.