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[POLITICS] · Canada, United States · 19 sources

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Quebec election campaign begins amid trade and sovereignty debates

The Quebec provincial election campaign has officially launched ahead of the October 5 vote, following eight years of Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) governance. Premier Christine Fréchette, who took leadership of the CAQ in April, is seeking a new mandate while navigating significant economic and geopolitical challenges. Fréchette has identified U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration's trade policies as a primary adversary, noting that new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods could impact approximately $7.7 billion in Quebec exports.

The campaign is expected to be dominated by several key issues, including sovereignty, energy, and the cost of living. The Parti Québécois (PQ), currently leading in several polls, has proposed a referendum on sovereignty by 2030, though leader Paul St-Pierre-Plamondon has stated no such vote would occur while Donald Trump remains in office. Other major topics include immigration policy, housing affordability, and a multi-billion-dollar tentative energy deal between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador regarding the Churchill Falls generating station.

Regional dynamics show a fragmented electoral map. While the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP) maintains a strong lead on the Island of Montreal, the PQ and Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) are competing heavily in the Quebec City region. Candidates are also addressing localized concerns, such as wage parity for healthcare workers in the Outaouais region.

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Christine Fréchette · Coalition Avenir Québec · Donald Trump · Montréal International · Parti Québécois · Parti libéral du Québec · Paul St-Pierre Plamondon · Quebec · Stéphane Paquet

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