A pivotal night for Quebec and Canada. CTVNews.ca has special live coverage as voters shape the next chapter.
CTV News projects the Parti Québécois will form a minority government in Quebec.
In a major upset for the ruling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) party, the Parti Québécois (PQ) is shaking up the political landscape in Quebec.
The party hasn’t been in power since 2014 and its leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, has vowed to hold a third referendum on Quebec sovereignty in his first term.
Read the live blog below for key moments from election night.
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CTV News projects a PQ minority government
The Parti Québécois will form a minority government, CTV News projects.
Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon watches results come in alongside his spouse Alexandra Tremblay, and children Laurette and Henri in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. . (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)
Key details:
- PQ will form minority government, CTV News projects
- Liberals to form official Opposition, CTV News projects
- All leaders win seats – except CAQ’s Fréchette
- CAQ wins zero seats in major upset
Montreal mayor congratulates new premier
In a post on her social media account, Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada congratulated the PQ leader on his victory.
"Montreal is the economic, cultural, and social heart of Quebec. When Montreal moves forward, all of Quebec benefits. As mayor, I will always be ready to work with the Quebec government when the interests of Montrealers are at stake," the mayor wrote.
"On homelessness, housing, public transit, and our infrastructure, the challenges demand strong, clear-sighted, and constructive collaboration between our governments. Montreal will be there."
A crushing defeat for the CAQ
In a devastating blow to the party that once ruled the National Assembly with 90 seats, the CAQ has been completely wiped off the map without a single seat.
The party struggled to keep any of its MNAs, including high-profile ministers like Simon Jolin-Barrette (Justice) and Eric Girard (Finance).
In Monday's election, the CAQ won 569,867 votes (13.33 per cent), which was more votes than Québec solidaire's (530,900 or 12.42 per cent).
“It feels like we’re in a funeral home,” said one CAQ supporter just before leader Christine Fréchette’s concession speech.
Fréchette, who lost her own seat in Trois-Rivières, had to contend with Quebecers’ desire for change during the campaign. It was a complex situation for someone burdened by the heavy legacy of her predecessor, François Legault.
During the campaign, Fréchette tried to distance herself from the CAQ's last eight years.
With files from The Canadian Press
QS keeps several seats in Montreal, Quebec City
Sighs of relief were palpable at Club Soda in Montreal, where Québec Solidaire supporters celebrated retaining key seats in Montreal, Quebec City, and Sherbrooke.
Despite the polls’ discouraging predictions, the party held onto its Montreal seats in Mercier, Gouin, Sainte-Marie-Saint-Jacques, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Laurier-Dorion, and Rosemont.
“What a great campaign,” said spokesperson Ruba Ghazal, who was reelected in Mercier. “We held our ground!”
“It seems to me we started from a long way back. But hey, we fought the way only the left knows how to fight.”
Ghazal promised to continue fighting for the environment, but also for independence—with its handful of opposition members, the party could potentially lend a hand to the next premier, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who has promised to hold a referendum during his first term.
“Québec Solidaire hasn’t said its last word,” she said.
Quebec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal speaks to supporters on the night of the Quebec provincial election, in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. . (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press)
PQ leader to speak Tuesday afternoon
Quebec's premier-designate Paul St. Pierre Plamondon will speak at a press conference Tuesday after tonight's election victory.
St. Pierre Plamondon will speak at 2 p.m. in Quebec City. He finished the election with 59 elected candidates, five seats short of securing a majority government.
Milliard speaks after winning 40 seats
Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard says the new PQ minority government has responsibility to listen to other parties.
But he says, when it comes to a referendum, there will be no collaboration with the Liberals.
Milliard's party will form the Official Opposition in the legislature.
Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard celebrates on stage, on election day in North Hatley, Que., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press)
“(The result) means that the Parti Québécois does not have all the powers to do whatever they want. They're going to have to discuss, collaborate, and we'll be collaborating on some issues, but obviously not on the main issue (of a referendum).”Charles Milliard, PLQ leader
Liberals win by fewer than 40 votes in Montreal riding
One of the tightest races in the Quebec election was in Montreal, where Québec solidaire was trying to hold onto its seat in Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne, in the city's Sud-Ouest borough.
The Liberal candidate Benoit Clermont narrowly defeated QS' Guillaume Cliche-Rivard by just 39 votes.
The Liberals gained the seat with 13,340 votes compared to 13,301 votes for the QS.
A Québec solidaire by-election win in 2023 ended decades of Liberal control in this downtown Montreal riding.
Voter turnout numbers released
Elections Quebec has released preliminary statistics for the 2026 general election, showing that voter turnout has reached 67.33 per cent with 99 per cent of polling stations reporting.
This is relatively the same voter turnout in the 2022 election -- 66 per cent.
According to analysis by the CTV decision desk, roughly 2,670 votes in five ridings made the difference between a PQ minority and a majority.
"This is another indication here that every single vote counts," said CTV News Montreal anchor Maya Johnson.
Here is the breakdown of the vote count as of 12 a.m.:
- PQ: 1,184,114 votes | 27.97 per cent
- Liberals: 1,028,099 votes | 24.28 per cent
- PCQ: 878,137 votes | 20.74 per cent
- QS: 525,298 votes | 12.41 per cent
- CAQ: 562,624 votes | 13.29 per cent
QS co-spokesperson speaks to supporters
Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal says her party’s results prove that the left is still alive and well in the province.
The party is leading in nine seats and could hold the balance of power in a minority legislature.
Ghazal said her sovereigntist party is looking forward to building a country that doesn’t leave anyone behind, with the help of immigrants, Indigenous people and English-speakers.
Quebec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal celebrates seats won by their candidates in the National Assembly on the night of the Quebec provincial election, in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. . (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press)
PQ leader makes victory speech
PQ leader Paul St. Pierre Plamondon walked to the stage to an enormous applause from his party's supporters at Espace St. Denis in Montreal, telling them he would live up to what Quebec voters have asked of him.
"I wanted to tell you tonight this victory is yours," he said in French, adding that he is the first elected premier from the east end of Montreal.
He said one of his priorities is to provide a fall economic update, and that he intends to collaborate with the other political parties on the issue.
He also addressed the "partners" in English Canada. "I want to reiterate that the project of independence is not built against you," the PQ leader said.
He said he would extend an olive branch to others who stand up for Quebec, including Prime Minister Mark Carney.
"Carney will find in me someone who is direct, frank, transparent, and mostly someone who will defend Quebecers' interests," he said.
At the end of his speech, he also addressed the English-speaking community directly.
"Many of you right now might be wondering how the Parti Québécois will govern over the next four years. I just want to let you know very clearly that I'll be the premier of everyone in Quebec," St. Pierre Plamondon said in English.
"I've said it earlier in the campaign but we're all in the same boat and we share the same future, we have the same interests. And we have before us many challenges and problems that we will solve together so I'm looking forward to work with you."
“I've said it earlier in the campaign but we're all in the same boat and we share the same future, we have the same interests. And we have before us many challenges and problems that we will solve together so I'm looking forward to work with you.”Paul St. Pierre Plamondon, PQ leader
Quebec Conservatives made history, leader says
In a speech to his supporters, Quebec Conservative leader Éric Duhaime thanked his "big Conservative family."
"My friends, tonight, hope comes back to Quebec. Tonight, we've just written a page in history. For the first time in 100 years Quebecers decided to send a large caucus of Conservatives to the National Assembly," he said as the crowd cheered.
"There's more than one out of every five Quebecers who voted Conservative today. We just beat six CAQ ministers and we even beat a PQ minister believe it or not," he said in an apparent jab at Bernard Drainville, a former PQ minister who lost his CAQ seat tonight in Lévis to the PCQ's Karine Laflamme.
He also spoke in English, telling the anglophone community in Quebec that they have a real alternative to the Quebec Liberal Party.
"Please, stop being hostage of the Liberal party and continue to listen to our message of hope," Duhaime said.
“Our vision, our ideas, and the respect we show the English-speaking community have convinced many of you today to choose the Conservatives and I thank you for that.”Éric Duhaime, PCQ leader
Races that are too close
As the votes are being counted, there are some very tight races that are too close to call in the Montreal area.
The Montreal riding of Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne, where incumbent MNA Guillaume Cliche-Rivard (Québec solidaire) is neck-and-neck with the Liberal candidate Benoit Clermont. As of 10:30 p.m., the Liberals have a narrow lead with 11,960 votes versus 11,678 votes for the QS.
Another close race in Papineau, where the PQ has a 483 lead over the Liberals.
In Maurice-Richard, the Liberals have a 561 vote lead ahead of the QS.
On Montreal's South Shore, the Liberals are leading in Montarville with 12,141 votes, a difference of 556 votes ahead of the PQ's Jean-François Cloutier.
The Montreal riding of Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne, where incumbent MNA Guillaume Cliche-Rivard (Québec solidaire) is neck-and-neck with the Liberal candidate Benoit Clermont. As of 10:30 p.m., the Liberals have a narrow lead with 11,960 votes versus 11,678 votes for the QS.
Another close race in Papineau, where the PQ has a 483 lead over the Liberals.
In Maurice-Richard, the Liberals have a 561 vote lead ahead of the QS.
On Montreal's South Shore, the Liberals are leading in Montarville with 12,141 votes, a difference of 556 votes ahead of the PQ's Jean-François Cloutier.
PM Carney congratulates PSPP
Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated Paul St-Pierre Plamondon for his victory in a post on X, saying he looks forward to working with him "to support Quebec businesses and workers affected by tariffs, to create better jobs, to combat homelessness, and to help build more housing throughout Quebec."
He also thanked Christine Frechette, whose party has so far failed to pick up any seats, for her "commitment to Quebec and Canada."
Carney's X account initially referred to Plamondon as "Prime Minister-designate" before sending another post, calling him "Premier-designate."
Carney's X account initially referred to Plamondon as "Prime Minister-designate" before sending another post, calling him "Premier-designate."
Party standings so far
Two hours after the polls closed in Quebec, the PQ has a significant lead, with 54 elected MNAs and leading in five other ridings. The party went into the election with just seven seats.
The Liberals, who will form the official opposition, have won 32 seats so far and are leading in eight other ridings. At dissolution, the party had 18 seats in the legislature.
The Quebec Conservative Party has so far won 17 seats and are leading in two ridings, while Québec solidaire secured seven seats, but are also leading in nine other ridings.
The CAQ has, at this point, been wiped off the map with zero seats as of 10 p.m.
The Liberals, who will form the official opposition, have won 32 seats so far and are leading in eight other ridings. At dissolution, the party had 18 seats in the legislature.
The Quebec Conservative Party has so far won 17 seats and are leading in two ridings, while Québec solidaire secured seven seats, but are also leading in nine other ridings.
The CAQ has, at this point, been wiped off the map with zero seats as of 10 p.m.
Longest serving MNAs to pass two decades in office
PQ candidate Pascale Bérubé was re-elected in Matane-Matapédia-Mitis and is will enter his 20th year in office next year. First elected on March 26, 2007, Bérubé is the longest serving member of the National Assembly.
Liberal Filomena Rotiroti was first elected on Dec. 8, 2008 in Jeanne-Mance–Viger, and, if she remains in office, will likely pass a second decade in office as well in the next term.
The longest-serving Quebec MNA in Quebec history is François Gendron, who served for 42 years from 1976 to 2018.
Pascale Bérubé casts is ballot in Matane, and won his seat again, meaning he will enter his second decade and remain the longest serving MNA in Quebec. (Pascale Bérubé/Facebook)
CAQ leader loses her seat
Minutes after making her concession speech, CAQ leader Christine Fréchette has lost her seat, CTV News projects.
With 143 polls reporting, the PQ's Jean Pellerin has secured 27.6 per cent support to win the riding of Trois-Rivières.
Fréchette is in second place with 24.8 per cent support. She did not directly address her political future in her concession speech tonight, but she has previously said that she would stay on as CAQ leader.
The CAQ has shockingly not won a single seat two hours after the polls have closed.
With 143 polls reporting, the PQ's Jean Pellerin has secured 27.6 per cent support to win the riding of Trois-Rivières.
Fréchette is in second place with 24.8 per cent support. She did not directly address her political future in her concession speech tonight, but she has previously said that she would stay on as CAQ leader.
The CAQ has shockingly not won a single seat two hours after the polls have closed.
Coalition Avenir Quebec Leader Christine Frechette, centre, watches election outcome with her husband Guy Nadeau in their room at the Coalition Avenir Quebec gathering in Trois-Rivieres, Que., Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)
'The failure is mine, not yours': CAQ leader
In a concession speech, CAQ leader Christine Fréchette addressed her supporters as her party suffers an embarrassing defeat in tonight's election.
"It's not what I expected and I take full responsibility," she said in Trois-Rivières, Que.
She said she called PQ leader Paul St. Pierre Plamondon to congratulate him on his party's victory, saying leading the CAQ has been "a great honour."
"The failure is mine not yours so keep your head held high," she said, adding that Quebecers clearly wanted change in this election.
"I respect their choice."
She left the stage appearing emotional as she made a heart gesture with her hands to the crowd.
She left the stage appearing emotional as she made a heart gesture with her hands to the crowd.
CAQ leader to make statement soon
CAQ officials have told CTV News that leader Christine Fréchette is expected to make a speech soon at her party headquarters in Trois-Rivières, Que.
CTV News Montreal's Olivia O'Malley reports that many supporters there are upset with the outcome of the election so far. Fréchette is currently trailing the PQ candidate.
The party, which has not yet won a seat tonight 90 minutes after polls closed, once held a majority with 90 seats back in 2022.
CAQ supporters watch the election results come in at the party's headquarters in Trois-Rivières, Que.
. (CTV News)
Youngest female MNA elected
Twenty-three-year-old Conservative candidate Éloïse Coulombe won her seat in Charlesbourg, becoming the youngest woman elected to the National Assembly.
Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier formerly held that distinction when she was elected in 2016 at 24 years of age. Elsie Lefebvre was elected for the PQ in 2004 when she was 25.
Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier formerly held that distinction when she was elected in 2016 at 24 years of age. Elsie Lefebvre was elected for the PQ in 2004 when she was 25.
Liberals to form official opposition
The Quebec Liberals will form the official opposition party in the Quebec legislature, CTV News projects.
The decision desk projects that the Liberals could win between 33 and 39 seats tonight, a significant win for the party.
The Liberals went into the 2026 election with 18 seats in the National Assembly, down from the 21 seats they won in the 2022 general election.
The decision desk projects that the Liberals could win between 33 and 39 seats tonight, a significant win for the party.
The Liberals went into the 2026 election with 18 seats in the National Assembly, down from the 21 seats they won in the 2022 general election.
Poilievre congratulates PSPP
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre congratulated Paul St-Pierre Plamondon for his win, saying he will work with "all members" of Quebec's National Assembly.
Poilievre added in a post on X that he's "proud" of Quebec Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime, who he said "achieved historic gains" in the province.
As of this writing, the PC is leading or has been elected in 18 seats.
Poilievre added in a post on X that he's "proud" of Quebec Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime, who he said "achieved historic gains" in the province.
As of this writing, the PC is leading or has been elected in 18 seats.
All leaders win their seats, except Fréchette
With the polls closed for one hour now, all leaders of the major political parties have won their seats, except one.
Liberal leader Charles Milliard, Parti Québécois leader Paul St. Pierre Plamondon, Quebec Conservative leader Éric Duhaime, and Québéc solidaire leader Ruba Ghazal have all been elected.
CAQ leader Christine Fréchette has not yet been re-elected. It's a tight race currently in her riding of Trois-Rivières with the PQ candidate Jean Pellerin as both are leading with about 29 per cent of the vote (48/169 polls reporting).
Liberal leader Charles Milliard, Parti Québécois leader Paul St. Pierre Plamondon, Quebec Conservative leader Éric Duhaime, and Québéc solidaire leader Ruba Ghazal have all been elected.
CAQ leader Christine Fréchette has not yet been re-elected. It's a tight race currently in her riding of Trois-Rivières with the PQ candidate Jean Pellerin as both are leading with about 29 per cent of the vote (48/169 polls reporting).
Frechette in a fight
As her party fights for official status, CAQ Leader Christine Frechette is in a nailbiter in her own riding of Trois Rivieres.
Right now, just a few percentage points separate her from PQ candidate Jean Pellerin.
Coalition Avenir Quebec Leader Christine Frechette. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Quebec Liberal leader wins seat
CTV News projects that Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard has won his seat in Orford, in Quebec's Eastern Townships.
This marks the first time Milliard will hold a seat in the National Assembly. Milliard came into the scene after former leader Pablo Rodriquez stepped down from the role amid the alleged vote-buying scandal.
This marks the first time Milliard will hold a seat in the National Assembly. Milliard came into the scene after former leader Pablo Rodriquez stepped down from the role amid the alleged vote-buying scandal.
Will CAQ lose party status?
The CAQ – the party that’s held power in Quebec for eight years – is leading or elected so far in just four seats (versus 59 for the PQ). A party needs to win at least 12 seats to win official status.
The PQ has managed to flip the table from their results in the 2022 election when they won only three seats.
CAQ Leader Christine Frechette. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Party standings so far
About a half hour after the polls closed, the PQ has won 21 seats so far and is leading in 32 seats. The Liberals follow with 11 elected MNAs.
In a major early upset, the CAQ has not won any seats.
Full election results are available at on CTV News Montreal's election hub.
In a major early upset, the CAQ has not won any seats.
Full election results are available at on CTV News Montreal's election hub.
Quebec Conservative leader wins his seat
Quebec Conservative leader Éric Duhaime has won his seat in Bellechasse. This marks the first time a member of Quebec's Conservatives has been elected to the legislature since 1935.
Duhaime has been leader of the party since 2021.
The party has so far won 5 seats.
Duhaime has been leader of the party since 2021.
The party has so far won 5 seats.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTV News projects a PQ government
The CTV News decision desk projects that the Parti Québécois (PQ) will form the next government in Quebec.
It is not yet clear whether it will be a minority or majority government. A party needs 64 seats to secure a majority government in Quebec.
It is not yet clear whether it will be a minority or majority government. A party needs 64 seats to secure a majority government in Quebec.
First Conservative MNA elected
Former CAQ MNA turned Conservative Party of Quebec candidate in La Peltrie, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, has become the first Conservative candidate elected in a general election in the province's history.
The CPQ expects to pick up enough seats for official party status, 12, after being shut out of prior elections.
Jonathan Poulin was elected in Beauce-Sud, as the second CPQ MNA for Éric Duhaime's party.
The CPQ expects to pick up enough seats for official party status, 12, after being shut out of prior elections.
Jonathan Poulin was elected in Beauce-Sud, as the second CPQ MNA for Éric Duhaime's party.
La Peltrie Conservative candidate Maïté Blanchette Vézina greets Quebec Conservative Leader Eric Duhaime as he tours the region on the eve of a general election, in Quebec City on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)
WATCH LIVE: CTV News Montreal special broadcast at 8 p.m.
After the polls close at 8 p.m., CTV will air a live election special on TV throughout the evening hosted by CTV News Montreal anchors Mutsumi Takahashi and Maya Johnson.
The special coverage, also on Crave, on CJAD 800 Radio, and our social media platforms, will have live election results as they come in with the same team of experts, and projections from CTV’s election desk, made up of experts who analyze the votes that are being counted to help project who the winner will be.
Readers can also follow CTVNewsMontreal.ca for the latest updates throughout the evening.
Former PQ leader says separation push could come later
Former PQ leader Jean-François Lisée says if the party forms government, it would not necessarily mean Quebec is headed for independence.
“You have a number of people who are very determined and competent and honest who get into politics for one reason, making Quebec a country,” he told CTV Power Play host Vassy Kapelos. “And Quebecers say, OK, we'll elect you, but we'll not let you make Quebec a country. We want you to run the province.”
Lisée added that the party’s decision to wait for U.S. President Donald Trump’s term to end before holding a referendum helped stop the issue of independence from dominating the election campaign.
“The master stroke of Mr. Plamondon was to announce just before the start of the campaign that he would not hold a referendum until Donald Trump left, and the level of anguish, of course, that Trump pours into the electorate in Canada, as in Quebec, as elsewhere, is very high,” he said.
Lisée also said that PQ would need a majority in the National Assembly to call a referendum.
“Depending on the numbers we'll have tonight, we'll see if the second independence party, which is Québec solidaire, has enough votes to enable him to carry a majority.”
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Protesters gather outside PQ watch party
A boisterous group of protesters gathered outside the PQ's main watch party in Montreal as voting entered its final hour.
They chanted slogans critical of police, racism, transphobia and what the PQ's plans to separate would mean for First Nations.
Security was tight with several police officers keeping watch over the crowd.
WATCH LIVE: CTV News Montreal special broadcast at 7 p.m.
Beginning at 7 p.m. on Oct. 5, CTV will air a special election broadcast on Crave, on CTVNewsMontreal.ca, on CJAD 800 Radio, and on our YouTube and X accounts. It will also stream on the CTV News TikTok account.
CTV News Montreal anchor Mutsumi Takahashi will host the one-hour, live pre-show special, featuring insight and analysis from Martine St-Victor, a communications strategist and general manager of Edelman, Sébastien Dallaire, a chief insights officer at Leger Marketing, and David Heurtel, political analyst and former Quebec Liberal cabinet minister.
CTV News Montreal reporters will also provide updates from the five main party headquarters, and CTV News anchor Maya Johnson will have expert analysis from political analyst Raphael Melançon and Rupen Seoni, chief client officer at Environics Analytics.
CTV News Montreal anchor Mutsumi Takahashi will host the one-hour, live pre-show special, featuring insight and analysis from Martine St-Victor, a communications strategist and general manager of Edelman, Sébastien Dallaire, a chief insights officer at Leger Marketing, and David Heurtel, political analyst and former Quebec Liberal cabinet minister.
CTV News Montreal reporters will also provide updates from the five main party headquarters, and CTV News anchor Maya Johnson will have expert analysis from political analyst Raphael Melançon and Rupen Seoni, chief client officer at Environics Analytics.
Former PQ leader predicts minority government
Former Parti Québécois leader Jean-François Lisée says Quebecers will “most probably” elect a minority PQ government.
Speaking with CTV Power Play host Vassy Kapelos, he described governing without a majority as “a delicate task,” but said the PQ could build support for individual measures by working with other parties.
Lisée also said people in Quebec want change but attempts to make the campaign about U.S. President Donald Trump did not resonate as it did in the federal election.
“It has been about change and that was the bad news for the outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette,” he said. “She wanted to make this election about Donald Trump, as (Prime Minister Mark) Carney did with great success last year, and it kind of worked for the first week, but the appetite for change has been growing.
“The Trump card didn't work as well for her as it did for Mr. Carney,” Lisée added.
Speaking with CTV Power Play host Vassy Kapelos, he described governing without a majority as “a delicate task,” but said the PQ could build support for individual measures by working with other parties.
Lisée also said people in Quebec want change but attempts to make the campaign about U.S. President Donald Trump did not resonate as it did in the federal election.
“It has been about change and that was the bad news for the outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette,” he said. “She wanted to make this election about Donald Trump, as (Prime Minister Mark) Carney did with great success last year, and it kind of worked for the first week, but the appetite for change has been growing.
“The Trump card didn't work as well for her as it did for Mr. Carney,” Lisée added.
Quebec government denied appeal
Quebec’s Court of Appeal on Monday denied the government’s request to appeal a judgment ordering Élections Québec to send bilingual voter reminder cards in English and French ahead of the general election.
Justice Sylvain Lussier suspended the Charter of the French Language on Sept. 16 for 10 days, then again, several days later, until the Quebec election on Oct. 5, to allow the independent electoral agency to send bilingual voter reminder cards.
The Quebec government sought to appeal these two judgments, but Justice Patrick Healy denied its request.
In the judgment obtained by CTV News, Healy wrote that the court generally will not interfere with a judge’s temporary decision unless there are exceptional circumstances.
In the judgment obtained by CTV News, Healy wrote that the court generally will not interfere with a judge’s temporary decision unless there are exceptional circumstances.
What to watch for as the votes come in
Political analyst Raphael Melancon speaks about what to watch for as the votes come in on election night, including whether the Parti Québécois will achieve its goal of a majority government.
Watch the interview.
Watch the interview.
45% of Quebecers have voted so far
Élections Québec's preliminary voter turnout results show that 45.06 per cent of Quebecers had voted as of 5:11 p.m.
The agency reported that 25.6 per cent of Quebecers voted in advance polls, compared with 24.8 per cent in the 2022 general election.
The agency reported that 25.6 per cent of Quebecers voted in advance polls, compared with 24.8 per cent in the 2022 general election.
Voter turnout was 66.15 per cent in the 2022 provincial election.
Final voter turnout is determined once the votes have been counted or after a judicial recount.
Final voter turnout is determined once the votes have been counted or after a judicial recount.
Leaders vote
The leaders of all the major parties voted in their ridings.
CAQ leader Christine Fréchette is running in Trois-Rivières.
PQ leader Pierre St-Pierre Plamondon is running in Camille-Laurin in Montreal.
Liberal leader Charles Milliard is running in the Eastern Townships riding of Orford.
Quebec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal is running in Mercier in Montreal.
Conservative leader Éric Duhaime is running in Bellechasse, south of Quebec City.
CAQ leader Christine Fréchette is running in Trois-Rivières.
PQ leader Pierre St-Pierre Plamondon is running in Camille-Laurin in Montreal.
Liberal leader Charles Milliard is running in the Eastern Townships riding of Orford.
Quebec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal is running in Mercier in Montreal.
Conservative leader Éric Duhaime is running in Bellechasse, south of Quebec City.
Voters head to the polls across the country
It's decision day in Quebec and CTV News Montreal reporter Denise Roberts was at polling stations to speak with voters.
Watch the video below.
Watch the video below.
Election could be ‘very devastating’ for Fréchette: analyst
Political analyst Daniel Tran says he expects a “very, very close” race and believes election night could mark a “really good” moment in Quebec political history.
“It was a 39-day campaign, with five parties above the 10 per cent mark and for the first time in history, 127 ridings instead of 125,” he told CTV News Channel. “So, a lot of new rules, a lot of possibilities start to emerge.”
Tran said one likely possibility is the Parti Québécois (PQ) unseating the governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ).
“The latest polls have shown a tendency for the possible extinction of the current governing party, the CAQ, led by incumbent Premier Christine Fréchette, which would be very devastating for her and devastating for the party,” he said.
Tran said Quebecers may be experiencing "voter fatigue" after eight years of a CAQ government, and added that pressure on Fréchette to rebrand the party in the face of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump added obstacles to her campaign.
Duhaime votes
Éric Duhaime, leader of the Quebec Conservative Party, casts his ballot in his riding of Bellechasse in the city of Sainte-Claire, Que., on election day.
Quebec Conservative Party Leader Eric Duhaime casts his ballot in his riding of Bellechasse in the city of Sainte-Claire, Quebec on Monday Oct. 5, 2026. . Karoline Boucher/The Canadian Press
Nearly 30% of Quebecers have voted so far
Élections Québec's preliminary voter turnout results show that 29.79 per cent of Quebecers had voted as of 12:22 p.m.
The agency reported that 25.6 per cent of Quebecers voted in advance polls.
Final voter turnout is determined once the votes have been counted or after a judicial recount. It becomes official after the declaration of the election, which takes place four days after the votes are counted, if no request for a judicial recount is made during that period.
The agency reported that 25.6 per cent of Quebecers voted in advance polls.
Final voter turnout is determined once the votes have been counted or after a judicial recount. It becomes official after the declaration of the election, which takes place four days after the votes are counted, if no request for a judicial recount is made during that period.
Voters express accessibility concerns
Claude Benchimol, 84, who uses a wheelchair, went to vote at Carrefour Multisport in Laval but was frustrated to learn his polling station wasn't accessible.
Benchimol told CTV News that there were several steps at the front entrance, making it impossible to enter. He took an elevator to the ground floor, but found additional steps leading to the voting room. Élections Québec staff had to direct him to another entrance and lift his wheelchair over two beams to the voting room.
“It was not a pleasant experience,” Benchimol said.
Élections Québec said 94 per cent of polling stations are accessible to people with impaired mobility.
It also stated that sites are equipped with tools to help people who may have limitations, including a lighted magnifying glass, a pencil with a grip for easier handling, a clipboard, a braille voting template, large-print posters of candidates and a tool with pictograms to facilitate communication between election officers and people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
It also stated that sites are equipped with tools to help people who may have limitations, including a lighted magnifying glass, a pencil with a grip for easier handling, a clipboard, a braille voting template, large-print posters of candidates and a tool with pictograms to facilitate communication between election officers and people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
“This means six per cent of stations may have obstacles for some people. So, we invite electors to check on our website if their polling place is accessible, and if it's not, there will be indications regarding the characteristics of the site to help people see for their own situation if there's an obstacle or not,” Élections Québec spokesperson Julie St-Arnaud-Drolet said in an interview with CTV News.
“If your polling place is not accessible to you, you can contact the returning officer of your electoral division, and they may allow you to vote in another place that is accessible.”
Will a sovereignty referendum sway voters?
Daniel Béland, director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, says support for political parties remains fragmented across Quebec, with the province's sovereignty debate top of mind for many voters.
According to Béland, support for Quebec sovereignty sits at about 30 per cent, a historically low level, while roughly 65 to 70 per cent of Quebecers oppose a third referendum.
That split, he says, could prompt some voters to cast their ballots strategically to prevent a Parti Québécois (PQ) majority government.
“Strategic voting is not as common as people think. But it's certainly at play today, especially because people are expecting the PQ to win,” he told CTV News Channel on Monday.
“There are a lot of people who are really concerned about the possibility of a PQ majority government because, in that case, it would be much easier for them to pull the trigger on a third referendum, although they have said that would not happen before (U.S. President Donald) Trump leaves the White House.
Quebecers line up before stations open
Many Quebecers were lining up before polling stations opened at 9:30 a.m., according to Élections Québec.
“A lot of electors were there before opening hours, so people are ready to exercise their right to vote and we’re really happy about that,” Élections Québec spokesperson Julie St-Arnaud-Drolet said in an interview with CTV News.
Nearly 26 per cent of Quebecers voted in advance polling, in line with the last provincial election in 2022, the independent electoral agency said.
It added that voting today should generally be quick, as there are four times more polling stations than during advance polling.
It added that voting today should generally be quick, as there are four times more polling stations than during advance polling.
“Peak hours are usually at the opening of polling stations, at noon, and after work hours, so if a person can be there mid-afternoon or after dinner, those periods should be less busy,” St-Arnaud-Drolet said.
Élections Québec said there are no reports so far of violations of polling station rules.
According to the agency, electors must follow several rules when exercising their right to vote to ensure that poll stations remain neutral.
Some of these rules include not expressing support or opposition for any party or candidate.
According to the agency, electors must follow several rules when exercising their right to vote to ensure that poll stations remain neutral.
Some of these rules include not expressing support or opposition for any party or candidate.
“Electors must know that when they are in the polling places, they cannot promote a party or a candidate. Polling stations must be neutral and impartial. So, it's not a place to let people know for who you want to vote,” she said.
Polling stations close at 8 p.m.
Polling stations close at 8 p.m.
A woman votes at a polling station in Quebec City, Monday, October 3, 2022. . Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press
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