POLITICS

Quebec Voters Weigh Political Promises and Slogans as Election Campaign Kicks Off

A new Synopsis poll shows a tight Quebec election race between the PQ and CAQ as party leaders launch platforms, address tariffs, and present campaign slogans.

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2 weeks ago

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Polling Shows Narrowing Gap Between Top Parties

As campaign activity gets underway for Quebec’s October 5, 2026 election, a Synopsis Recherche poll for La Presse shows a tight contest at the top. Among decided respondents, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s Parti Québécois (PQ) leads with 28 per cent support, while Christine Fréchette’s Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) has risen seven points to 27 per cent. The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ), led by Charles Milliard, sits at 20 per cent following a six-point drop. Éric Duhaime’s Conservative Party (PCQ) holds 14 per cent, and Ruba Ghazal’s Québec Solidaire (QS) stands at 10 per cent.

Synopsis partner Youri Rivest noted that half of the CAQ’s recent gains came directly from former Liberal supporters. Responding to the shift during a briefing in Sherbrooke, Milliard stated that voters moving to the CAQ were making a mistake, adding, “I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen.” He emphasized that campaigns are just starting and outlined an economic strategy to lower exports to the United States by at least 15 per cent by strengthening ties within Canada, Europe, and Francophone regions. He also proposed reducing corporate tax rates for small and medium enterprises from 11.5 per cent to 9.5 per cent, funded by cutting state overintervention and eliminating the Fonds de développement économique.

CAQ Defends Record and Proposes Family Benefits

During a campaign stop in Rimouski, Fréchette cited favorable poll numbers showing her as the preferred choice for premier at 26 per cent, compared to 23 per cent for St-Pierre Plamondon. In Disraeli, Fréchette addressed criticisms from opponents regarding economic management, hinting at plans to tighten criteria for business subsidies. She noted that as Minister of the Economy, she halted public funding for Northvolt and Lion Electric, though she declined to specify at what exact stage of review that decision was finalized. St-Pierre Plamondon had earlier accused her of misrepresenting her role in the collapse of the battery plant project.

For her party’s initial policy proposal, Fréchette announced plans to expand the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP). The proposal includes extending paternity leave by two weeks, increasing flexibility for extended family members, and improving benefits during perinatal bereavement, stating the self-funding program would not require premium increases. The CAQ also introduced new regional candidates, announcing Marc Grandbois for Dubuc and François Cormier for Lac-Saint-Jean.

Voter Priorities, Grocery Bills, and Campaign Slogans

Voters across the province are weighing key policy platform commitments alongside party messaging. In Sherbrooke, Québec Solidaire candidate Ruba Ghazal presented measures targeting major grocery chains to curb food prices. The QS platform includes capping profit margins for large grocery chains at 15 per cent, banning dynamic pricing and fake discounts, and establishing a network of 15 public grocery stores.

Voters are also reacting to election signs popping up province-wide. The CAQ is campaigning on “Avançons” (“Let’s move forward”), while the PQ has selected “Le choix de la confiance” (“The choice of trust”). The Liberals are using “Rassembler. Réparer. Bâtir.” (“Unite. Repair. Build.”), QS offers “C’est possible” (“It’s possible”), and the PCQ presents “Oser pour vrai” (“Dare for real”). Communications strategist Martine St-Victor highlighted the QS and CAQ slogans as distinct, noting that institutional trust is a central challenge with under 60 per cent of Quebecers expressing trust in political institutions.

Survey results indicate healthcare remains the primary voter concern at 54 per cent, followed by inflation and cost of living at 41 per cent, and housing at 34 per cent. Concern over trade instability with the U.S. rose to 29 per cent, particularly among CAQ supporters. Meanwhile, support for Quebec independence remains steady, with 31 per cent in favor and 69 per cent opposed among those expressing an opinion. The Synopsis survey gathered responses from 1,009 Quebec adults between August 24 and 26, 2026.

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COMMUNITY

How You Can Watch and Question Kamloops Candidates Ahead of the October Election

Watch Kamloops mayoral and council candidates answer questions in livestreamed election forums on Sept. 23, followed by a Sept. 24 in-person event.

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4 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Full Day of Virtual Candidate Panels Scheduled

Kamloops residents will be able to evaluate local election candidates on Wednesday, Sept. 23, during an extensive lineup of virtual sessions. The upcoming event is jointly hosted by Castanet Kamloops and the Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce.

The programming opens with three separate councillor discussions running from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., noon to 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Following these, the mayoral candidates will participate in a dedicated forum scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Standardized Questions and Viewing Access

To ensure direct comparisons between contenders running for the same seat, each participant will respond to a uniform set of inquiries. Organizers are gathering these questions from event sponsors, community partners, the Chamber, Castanet, and local voters.

Although members of the public cannot attend in person, organizers are looking into possibilities for local public viewing parties. The sessions will be broadcast live on Castanet, with digital recordings remaining accessible online until voting day on Oct. 17.

“Local elections shape decisions that affect every business in this city, from housing to infrastructure to how we grow,” said Acacia Pangilinan, executive director of the Chamber. “These forums give candidates a real opportunity to speak to those issues, and give our members and the broader community a clear way to hear from everyone running for mayor and council before they vote.”

In-Person Senior-Focused Event Planned

A separate, free public forum will take place the following day on Thursday, Sept. 24. Hosted by incumbent councillor Nancy Bepple, this in-person event is scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Mount Paul Community Food Centre, located at 140 Laburnum St.

This second session invites attendees to pose questions directly to candidates regarding matters affecting seniors along with the wider community.

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LOCAL

What to Know as Final Municipal Candidate Lists Take Shape Across the Region

Six mayoral candidates emerge in Kamloops as candidate lists take shape across the region ahead of the upcoming October 17 municipal elections.

Published

9 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Six-Way Mayoral Race Highlighted in Kamloops

Voters in Kamloops will select from six candidates for mayor in next month’s municipal election following Friday’s 4:00 p.m. application deadline. Incumbent Reid Hamer-Jackson is seeking re-election against current councillor Mike O’Reilly alongside former councillors Nelly Dever and Ray Dhaliwal. Two late additions to the ballot, design contractor Ivory Winston and social worker Kris Middleton, were revealed after the deadline passed. A total of 29 individuals are vying for council seats, including seven incumbents.

Contested Races and Acclamations Across Surrounding Municipalities

Competitions for mayor are set across several neighbouring communities. In Merritt, mayor Mike Goetz faces challenger Gordon Keyser, while all six incumbent councillors and two new contenders are seeking office. Former Cache Creek mayor John Ranta reversed a previous decision to step down and joins Annette Pittman and Wendy Coomber on the ballot. Incumbent Barbara Roden will compete against Eric Poole in Ashcroft, while Williams Lake mayor Surinderpal Rathor faces former mayor Walt Cobb. In 100 Mile House, Maureen Pinkney is challenged by David Jurek, and Lytton mayor Denise O’Connor faces councillor Jennifer Thoss.

In Clearwater, councillor Shelley Sim is challenging incumbent mayor Merlin Blackwell while simultaneously running for a seat on the Kamloops-Thompson School District Board of Education. Several communities will not hold mayoral elections due to acclamations, including Barriere with Rob Kerslake, Logan Lake with Robin Smith, and Clinton with Roland Stanke. Race car driver Jason White is the sole mayoral candidate in Sun Peaks, as incumbent Rob O’Toole is running for a council seat instead.

Regional District and School Board Elections

Voters in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District will cast ballots in just two of ten electoral areas. Area ‘E’ features incumbent Jim Smith against former director Sally Watson, and Area ‘I’ pits incumbent Tricia Thorpe against former director Steven Rice. Meanwhile, 16 candidates, including five incumbents, are competing for five Kamloops seats on the Kamloops-Thompson School District Board of Education. Rural school board races include Shelley Sim against TNRD director Lee Onslow in the Clearwater area, and incumbent Cara McKelvey against Marie McGivern in Logan Lake. Local officials may update candidate lists as packages are finalized ahead of the October 17 election.

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NATIONAL STORIES

Why Mounting Housing Costs and Surging Homelessness Demand Immediate Policy Action

Homelessness and living costs are rising across Canada, prompting Conservative calls to remove the GST on new homes up to $1.3M and spur construction.

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15 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Homelessness and Rental Rates Rise Rapidly

Data from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) reveals that known cases of homelessness in Ontario expanded by more than 23 per cent over three years, reaching upwards of 76,000 individuals. Furthermore, chronic homelessness jumped over 37 per cent in two years, representing nearly half of the province’s identified homeless population. A separate federal count showed national homelessness rose 59 per cent compared to 2020-22 figures, while unsheltered homelessness surged 89 per cent.

A primary factor behind these figures is declining housing affordability. The FAO reported that median market rent in Ontario jumped 19.3 per cent between 2022-23 and 2025-26, whereas earnings for low- and middle-income families expanded by only 14.1 per cent. Projections indicate known homelessness in Ontario could increase by almost 16 per cent by 2028-29.

National Economic Pressure and Conservative Proposals

Financial strains extend across Canada, where 63 per cent of workers cite the cost of living as their main financial stressor. Additionally, over a third of mortgage holders renewing their terms report elevated pressure due to increased interest rates. Housing construction is slowing down in major metropolitan centers like Toronto and Vancouver, with national housing starts expected to shrink by up to 38,000 units by 2028.

Attributing these economic challenges to eleven years of Liberal governance, Conservatives state they are advocating for measures to restore affordability. Proposed initiatives include removing the GST on new home purchases up to $1.3 million and implementing an Economic Action Plan designed to stimulate new development, eliminate growth-inhibiting policies, and encourage investment across the nation.

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