Momentum gathers for the PQ as they depart from Arthabaska-L'Érable
In a significant turn of events, the Parti Québécois (PQ) has secured a historic victory in the Arthabaska-L'Érable by-election, defeating the Quebec Conservative Party (CPQ) and flipping a seat that had been held by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) since 2012.
Alex Boissonneault, a former journalist, emerged victorious, securing over 46% of the vote, while CPQ leader Éric Duhaime received 35%. This marks the third consecutive by-election loss for the CAQ, signalling a declining influence of Premier François Legault's governing party in the region.
The PQ's significant victory has cemented the party's momentum ahead of the 2026 provincial election. The sovereigntist party is now positioned as the stronger alternative to the CAQ, symbolizing a resurgence of the PQ in Quebec politics.
The CAQ government suffered a serious blow, finishing a distant fourth with only 7% of the vote in this by-election. Analysts have referred to this result as "the end of the CAQ era". The Quebec Liberal Party, on the other hand, obtained 9% of the votes.
The CPQ, led by Duhaime, was directly affected by the loss, as the party leader was personally defeated in the riding. This reflects challenges for the Conservatives in gaining ground in Quebec provincial politics.
The by-election became necessary due to the departure of deputy Eric Lefebvre, who joined the Conservative Party of Canada. As a result, Keven Brasseur, the CAQ's candidate in the by-election, is now represented in the House of Commons by Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party of Canada.
The PQ's success in Arthabaska-L'Érable represents a shift in Quebec political dynamics, with voters increasingly supporting the PQ as a vehicle to reject the CAQ’s governance and as an affirmation of Quebec sovereignty sentiments. The PQ secured the riding, becoming the sixth PQ MNA in the Centre-du-Quebec region.
It's important to note that the CAQ candidate, Keven Brasseur, is the outgoing president of the local Chamber of Commerce and former president of the party's youth wing. Despite the defeat, the PQ received 10% of the votes in the by-election, far behind the CAQ in the 2022 general election.
This by-election result marks the second time Duhaime has lost an election. Boissonneault defeated the CPQ leader by more than 4,000 votes. The PQ led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has managed to wrest the ridings of Jean-Talon and Terrebonne from the CAQ in the last two by-elections, further demonstrating the party's resurgence in Quebec politics.
The impact of this victory is substantial, not only for the PQ but also for the CAQ and the CPQ. The political landscape in Quebec may be set for significant changes in the coming years, with the PQ emerging as a strong contender in the 2026 provincial election.
The PQ's victory in the Arthabaska-L'Érable by-election shows a shift in French policy-and-legislation as the party gains momentum ahead of the 2026 provincial election, symbolizing a resurgence of the PQ in Quebec politics and posing a significant challenge to the CAQ. Alex Boissonneault, the PQ's leader in the by-election, secured a decisive win over Éric Duhaime, the leader of the Conservatives (CPQ), reflecting difficulties for the Conservatives in making headway in Quebec's provincial politics.
