Muhammad Amanullah
Date: September 18, 2026 The True Post (Web News) — The election campaign in Quebec has entered its 22nd day, with the leaders of the province’s five major political parties returning to the campaign trail after two French-language debates held within 24 hours.
The possibility of a referendum on Quebec independence emerged as one of the most prominent issues during the latest debate. The leaders also discussed the economy, jobs, healthcare, inflation and trade relations with the United States. (CityNews Montreal)
Heated Debate Over a Referendum
During the second election debate, Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s plan for a potential referendum attracted considerable attention.
Leaders of the other parties questioned Plamondon about the issue and challenged his position on Quebec’s future.
Political analyst Daniel Tran said the referendum issue was much more prominent during the second debate than during the first. According to Tran, Plamondon did not even use the word “referendum” during the first debate, while nearly all of the leaders addressed the subject during the second debate. (CityNews Montreal)
CAQ’s Position
Coalition Avenir Québec leader Christine Fréchette questioned why Quebec should be placed in a period of further uncertainty through a referendum.
She argued that the province also needs to focus on other major economic and social issues.
Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard also questioned the Parti Québécois’s referendum plans. During the second debate, criticism of the PQ’s referendum proposal was a major part of the exchanges involving Fréchette and other leaders. (CityNews Montreal)
PQ Clarifies Its Position
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon defended his position, saying Quebec is not currently conducting a referendum campaign but is instead holding an election to form a government.
He said the referendum debate should be viewed within the context of the current election campaign and emphasized that his party’s immediate objective is to form the government through the election.
Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal said that Quebec independence would not mean being against Canada.
Meanwhile, Conservative Party of Quebec leader Éric Duhaime referred to Quebec’s previous independence referendums in 1980 and 1995.
What Did the Debate Focus On?
According to political analyst Daniel Tran, the competition among the five leaders during the second debate was intense, with no single leader clearly separating themselves from the others.
He said that when no candidate gains a clear advantage during an election debate, the situation can benefit a party that was already in a relatively strong position.
The next and final major debate will provide another important opportunity for the party leaders to present their positions directly to Quebec voters.
Concern Over 30,000 Jobs
During campaign events in Verchères and Saint-Hyacinthe on Thursday, Christine Fréchette said the Quebec government was closely monitoring approximately 30,000 jobs across around 60 companies.
The jobs could be affected by tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump’s administration, according to Fréchette. (CityNews Montreal)
New Proposal for Parents
The CAQ also proposed changes to Quebec’s parental insurance plan during the campaign.
The party has proposed allowing parents to use their available leave and benefits over a period of five years instead of the current 18-month period.
The proposal is intended to give parents greater flexibility in deciding when to use their parental leave according to their family circumstances.
Criticism of Government Spending
The CAQ government’s nearly eight years in office also came under criticism from opposition parties during the recent debates.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon accused the government of wasting more than $6 billion, while Charles Milliard compared CAQ spending to shopping at Costco.
Fréchette acknowledged that the government had made mistakes but said it had learned from those mistakes and introduced reforms in several areas.
Liberals’ Healthcare Plan
Charles Milliard announced a healthcare plan in Mégantic, promising an additional $200 million investment to strengthen local healthcare teams.
He also pledged to make CLSCs a central point of local healthcare services for Quebec residents and promised to maintain obstetric services in regional areas.
Conservative Plan for Farmers
Éric Duhaime presented his party’s agricultural plan during the campaign.
The Conservative Party of Quebec proposed reducing red tape for farmers, simplifying existing regulations and imposing no new stringent agricultural restrictions for four years.
The party also proposed designating basic food processing as an essential service in order to reduce food waste during labour disputes.
Hopes for Increased Trade with Europe
Christine Fréchette and Charles Milliard welcomed the ongoing talks between Canada and the European Union, saying stronger trade relations with Europe could open new markets for Quebec.
The Quebec election campaign is therefore focusing not only on independence and the referendum question, but also on employment, US tariffs, healthcare, family issues, agriculture and access to international markets.
The province’s five major party leaders are expected to continue presenting their respective positions to voters as the campaign moves toward the October 5, 2026 provincial election. (YouTube)
