Upcoming rush for election contenders as they prepare for Monday's vote in Arthabaska's byelection
In the byelection for the provincial riding of Arthabaska, held on August 11, 2025, the race was a close one between Alex Boissonneault of the Parti Québécois (PQ) and Éric Duhaime, leader of the Quebec Conservative Party.
Boissonneault was projected to win with over 45% of the vote, compared to about 36% for Duhaime, as of August 11 with more than 80% of ballots counted. This byelection marked a significant contest with the PQ gaining ground at the expense of the previously dominant Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) in Arthabaska.
The vacancy arose after Éric Lefebvre (CAQ) resigned to run successfully in the federal election for the Conservative Party of Canada. This byelection was first published in French on Aug. 10, 2025, by The Canadian Press.
Advance voting for the byelection was very popular, with 26.1% of registered voters (16,476 voters) already casting their ballots. A total of 10 candidates were running in the byelection, reflecting a competitive and closely watched contest in the Centre-du-Québec region.
In addition to Boissonneault and Duhaime, other key candidates included Kevin Brasseau (CAQ), Chantale Marchand (Quebec Liberal Party), and Pascale Fortin (Québec Solidaire). However, these candidates trailed behind the main contenders from PQ and the Conservatives.
The byelection saw a significant turnout, with many voters eager to make their voices heard in this crucial contest. The results of the Arthabaska byelection are a clear indication of the shifting political landscape in Quebec and will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the province's political future.
| Candidate | Party | Status/Result | |-------------------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Alex Boissonneault | Parti Québécois (PQ) | Projected winner, ~45% vote share | | Éric Duhaime | Quebec Conservatives | Close second, ~36% vote share | | Kevin Brasseau | Coalition Avenir Québec | Trailing main two candidates | | Chantale Marchand | Quebec Liberal Party | Trailing main two candidates | | Pascale Fortin | Québec Solidaire | Trailing main two candidates |
This byelection was almost twice as popular as the advance voting turnout for the byelection in the riding of Terrebonne on March 17. The departure of Éric Lefebvre (CAQ) from the provincial level to join Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives at the federal level no doubt added to the intensity of the contest. The governing CAQ had held the riding since 2012 but was sitting in fourth place shortly before results were projected.
This byelection is a significant development in Quebec politics, with the PQ gaining ground and the CAQ losing its grip on the riding. The results will undoubtedly have a ripple effect on the political landscape of the province.
The significant contest in Arthabaska's byelection dominated news headlines, as it showcased the PQ's rise in policy-and-legislation, challenging the previously dominant Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ).
This unexpected shift in politics, reflected by the close race between Alex Boissonneault (PQ) and Éric Duhaime (Quebec Conservatives), was a main feature in general-news coverage across the province.
