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With one week left until Quebec's election, leaders are making their final pitches to voters, addressing key issues such as U.S. interference, sovereignty, health care, and the economy.
Quebecers are just one week away from casting their ballots in the province's election, and the campaign is heating up. Key issues such as U.S. interference, sovereignty, health care, and the economy are dominating the conversation.
According to Genevieve Beauchemin, a reporter with CTV News, Parti Quebecois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has been leading in the polls for three years and is now eyeing a majority in the National Assembly. Plamondon has been working to convince Quebecers not to fear the prospect of independence, pointing out that hundreds of nations are governing themselves successfully with their own governments and institutions.
PQ Polling and Shifting Political Landscape
However, he also emphasized that the decision before Quebecers now is not whether the province should be a country, but who should lead it after the election. The PQ continues to lead in popular support, but there has been a shift in the rest of the political landscape. The Liberals are gaining ground, and the Conservatives are starting to do better.
CAQ Leader Christine Frechette faced a barrage of questions on her handling of issues related to potential U.S. interference in the election. Frechette confirmed that a staffer handed two essays from an American think tank to some journalists. The blogs discussed supporting sovereigntist parties and efforts to destabilize the Canadian federation.
However, other parties and analysts questioned the CAQ's motives, suggesting that the move was aimed at fueling controversy and winning votes. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party believes it could hold the balance of power after the election and has vowed not to support a referendum on Quebec independence. Leader Eric Duhaime told CTV News that he is ready to collaborate with other parties on a wide range of issues, but not sovereignty.
Liberal Campaign and Uncertain Election Outcome
The Liberal Party has also made a pitch that it can lead the province in a new direction. Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard emphasized that the province needs change after eight years of a CAQ government and promised a renewed approach to governance. With still seven days to go, there is plenty of time for Quebecers to make their final choice. Leaders will continue to criss-cross the province, making their final pitches to voters and addressing key issues.
The outcome of the election remains uncertain, but it's clear that Quebecers are being given a range of options and choices for the future of their province. According to a recent poll by Nanos Research, the Parti Quebecois is currently projected to win 67 seats, which could be enough for a majority government.
However, the Liberal Party and Conservative Party are gaining ground, and it's possible that the CAQ could lose its majority. The Parti Quebecois' Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Coalition Avenir Quebec Leader Christine Frechette were both questioned about the party's handling of issues related to potential U.S. interference in the election.
Voter Priorities and Advance Voting
Frechette was criticized for saying that American operatives may be trying to help the sovereigntist Parti Quebecois get elected to destabilize the Canadian federation, however she later walked back those comments. Voters focus on health care, the economy, language, and the environment. Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette initially warned that American operatives may be trying to help the sovereigntist Parti Québécois get elected to destabilize the Canadian federation, but she later walked back those comments.
According to preliminary advance voting numbers, 13.79 per cent of Quebecers have already voted, with the riding of Louis-Hébert in the Capitale-Nationale having the highest turnout at 23.62 per cent. Fréchette condemns party interference remarks Fréchette told journalists in Mont-Tremblant that it was "ill-advised" for her party to have spoken to journalists about the issue without her knowledge.
The latest polls show that the Coalition Avenir Québec could win zero seats in the Oct. 5 election, according to a poll aggregator. Meanwhile, the Parti Québécois is projected to win 67 seats, which could be enough for a majority government. Health care, the economy, language, and the environment are top issues driving voter choice. The parties have limited time to make their closing arguments before election day on Oct. 5.
CTVNewsVI 
CP24:Quebec election campaign entering final week as voters start to cast early ballots. Follow for live updatesThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Quebec Election 2026 Christine Fréchette Paul St-Pierre Plamondon Charles Milliard Ruba Ghazal Éric Duhaime Advance Polling Health Care Economy Language Environment Parti Québécois Coalition Avenir Québec Liberal Party Conservative Party Quebec Referendum Christine Frechette CAQ PQ Quebec Independence U.S. Interference Sovereignty
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