The party was leading in more than 60 ridings shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m.

PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has pledged to launch a referendum to separate Quebec from Canada if his party forms a government, but not before U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the White House in 2029.

The sovereigntist party capitalized on Quebecers' desire for change after eight years of Coalition Avenir Québec rule in the province.

The mood was festive at a PQ watch party in Montreal as the results started coming in, with many supporters dressed in blue and white.

There was also good news early in the evening for the Quebec Conservatives, as their leader, Éric Duhaime was declared elected in a riding south of Quebec City.

He is the first candidate to be elected under the Conservative banner in modern history, although the party has had a recent presence in the legislature in former CAQ member Maïté Blanchette Vézina, who crossed the floor.

The Quebec Liberals and their leader Charles Milliard were running a strong second with the lead in over 30 ridings about an hour after the polls closed.

CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette's party was in danger of being wiped off the electoral map, leading in only two seats in early returns.

When the election was called, the CAQ held 79 seats, the Liberals had 18, Québec solidaire 11 and the PQ held seven seats. There were nine Independents and one Conservative.

Duhaime has promised to use his leverage to act as a "guard dog" that will protect taxpayer interests and attempt to block a referendum vote.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 5, 2026.

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