2026 Coalition Avenir Québec leadership election
April 12, 2026
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| Date | April 12, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Resigning leader | François Legault |
| Won by | TBD |
| Candidates | 2 |
| Entrance fee | $30,000 |
| Spending limit | $150,000 |
In 2026, the Coalition Avenir Québec is expected to hold a leadership election to choose a successor for François Legault, who announced his resignation amid unfavourable opinion polling.[1]
Background
Legault, the party's first leader who co-founded the party in 2011, led his party to two consecutive majority government victories in 2018 and 2022. From the 2018 general election until 2023, the Legault government enjoyed one of the highest approval ratings in Canada. However, from late 2023, the situation reversed; the Legault government become one of the most unpopular provincial governments in Canada, suffering from poor opinion polling throughout the 43rd Quebec Legislature.[2] The party also lost the Jean-Talon, Terrebonne, Arthabaska, and Chicoutimi by-elections to the Parti Québécois, while losing 8 other MNAs due to either expulsions or resignations from caucus. In particular, Cabinet ministers Lionel Carmant, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Christian Dubé, Pierre Fitzgibbon, and Andrée Laforest all resigned due to various reasons since the 2022 election.[1][3][4][5]
Despite saying he would lead the CAQ into the next election in December 2025,[6] on January 14, 2026, Legault announced his pending resignation as Premier and leader of the CAQ. His party was sitting in either third or fourth place behind the PQ, Liberals, and the Conservative Party of Quebec, with the last poll before Legault's resignation showing them tied with Québec solidaire for the last place.[7] Legault will remain as leader and Premier until a new leader is elected.[6]
The election will be held just months before the 2026 general election. It is the party's first leadership election since its founding in 2011.[8]
Rules
To qualify, candidates must collect: a minimum of 1,000 signatures from party members across at least 75 provincial electoral districts, the support of at least 15 members of the National Assembly (MNAs), and at least 100 members of the party's youth commission. To enter, candidates must also pay a non-refundable deposit of $30,000 and adhere to spending limit of $150,000.[9] The vote will be held via telephone, with the voting period being held between April 7 and April 12. The party will use a ranked-choice voting system to elect a leader.[10]
In February 2026, Bernard Drainville called for the party to change its voting rules to limit leadership vote to Canadian citizens. Under current leadership rules, people 16 years and up who have been residents of Quebec for six months are eligible to vote.[11][12] People not members of the party have until March 13 to purchase a membership card to vote.
Timeline
- January 14, 2026 – Legault announces his resignation as party leader, stating that he would remain in the position until a successor is elected.
- January 22, 2026 – The campaign period begins with the party announcing the rules of the race.[13]
- January 24, 2026 – MNA for Lévis Bernard Drainville announces his candidacy.
- January 25, 2026 – MNA for Sanguinet Christine Fréchette announces her candidacy.[14][15]
- February 21, 2026 — Deadline for candidates to register.
- March 13, 2026 — Membership eligibility deadline.
- March 21, 2026 – First leadership debate is held in Quebec City.
- March 28, 2026 – Second leadership debate is held in Laval.
- April 7, 2026 – Voting period begins.
- April 12, 2026 – Voting period concludes, with the winner being announced at the party's leadership convention in Drummondville.
Candidates
Declared
| Candidate | Experience | Announcement Date | Campaign | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bernard Drainville |
|
January 24, 2026 | Endorsements Website |
[16] | |
Christine Fréchette |
|
January 25, 2026 | Endorsements Website |
[17] | |
Declined
- François Bonnardel, Minister of Public Security (2022–2025), MNA for Granby (2012–present).[18][19] (Endorsed Fréchette)
- Benoit Charette, MNA for Deux-Montagnes (2014–present, 2008–2012).[20] (Endorsed Fréchette)
- Guy Cormier, president and chief executive officer of Desjardins Group (2016–2025)
- Mario Dumont, leader of Action démocratique du Québec (1994–2009), Leader of the Opposition of Quebec (2007–2008), MNA for Rivière-du-Loup (1994–2009).[21]
- Eric Girard, Ministry of Finance (2018–present), MNA for Groulx (2018–present).[22][23]
- Geneviève Guilbault, Deputy Premier of Quebec (2018–2025), Minister of Municipal Affairs (2025–present), MNA for Louis-Hébert (2017–present).[22][24]
- Simon Jolin-Barrette, Minister of Justice and Government House Leader (2022–present), MNA for Borduas (2014–present).[25]
- Mathieu Lacombe, Minister of Culture and Communications (2022–present), MNA for Papineau (2018–present).[20] (Endorsed Fréchette)
- Ian Lafrenière, MNA for Vachon (2018–present). [26] (Endorsed Fréchette)
- Sonia LeBel, Minister of Education (2025–present), MNA for Champlain (2018–present).[22][27]
- Samuel Poulin, MNA for Beauce-Sud (2018–present).[20] (Endorsed Drainville)
- Olivier Primeau, businessman.[20][28]
- Jean-François Simard, MNA for Montmorency (2018–present, 1998–2003).[29][30]
- Christopher Skeete, MNA for Sainte-Rose (2018–present).[31] (Endorsed Fréchette)
Endorsements
Endorsements of Bernard Drainville
Current caucus members:
- Alice Abou-Khalil, MNA for Fabre (2022–present)[32]
- Mario Asselin, MNA for Vanier-Les Rivières (2018–present)[33]
- Suzanne Blais, MNA for Abitibi-Ouest (2018–present)[34]
- Kariane Bourassa, MNA for Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré (2022–present)[35]
- Éric Caire, MNA for La Peltrie (2007–present)[36]
- Shirley Dorismond, MNA for Marie-Victorin (2022–present)[37]
- Yannick Gagnon, MNA for Jonquière (2022–present)[38]
- Geneviève Hébert, MNA for Saint-François (2018–present)[33]
- Isabelle Lecours, MNA for Lotbinière-Frontenac (2018–present)[38]
- Louis Lemieux, MNA for Saint-Jean (2018–present)[37]
- Sylvain Lévesque, MNA for Chauveau (2018–present) and Vanier-Les Rivières (2012–2014)[39]
- Marilyne Picard, MNA for Soulanges (2018-present)[16]
- Samuel Poulin, MNA for Beauce-Sud (2018–present)[40]
- Luc Provençal, MNA for Beauce-Nord (2018–present)[37]
- Stéphane Sainte-Croix, MNA for Gaspé (2022–present)[41]
Endorsements of Christine Fréchette
Current caucus members:
- Gilles Bélanger, MNA for Orford (2018–present)[29]
- Catherine Blouin, MNA for Bonaventure (2022–present)[37]
- Audrey Bogemans, MNA for Iberville (2022–present)[42]
- Karine Boivin Roy, MNA for Anjou–Louis-Riel (2022–present)[43]
- François Bonnardel, MNA for Granby (2012–present)[44]
- Jean Boulet, MNA for Trois-Rivières (2018–present)[37]
- Robert Bussière, MNA for Gatineau (2018–present)[37]
- Vincent Caron, MNA for Portneuf (2018–present)[45]
- Kateri Champagne Jourdain, MNA for Duplessis (2022–present)[46]
- Benoit Charette, MNA for Deux-Montagnes (2014–present, 2008–2012)[47]
- Pascale Déry, MNA for Repentigny (2022–present)[37]
- Amélie Dionne, MNA for Rivière-du-Loup–Témiscouata (2022–present)[37]
- Éric Girard, MNA for Lac-Saint-Jean (2018–present)[37]
- Céline Haytayan, MNA for Laval-des-Rapides (2022–present)[48]
- Chantale Jeannotte, MNA for Labelle (2018–present)[49]
- Mathieu Lacombe, MNA for Papineau (2018–present)[50]
- Mario Laframboise, MNA for Blainville (2014–present)[38]
- Ian Lafrenière, MNA for Vachon (2018–present)[51]
- Mathieu Lemay, MNA for Masson (2014–present)[52]
- Mathieu Rivest, MNA for Côte-du-Sud (2022–present)[53]
- Jean-François Roberge, MNA for Chambly (2014–present)[37]
- Suzanne Roy, MNA for Verchères (2022–present)[37]
- Chantal Rouleau, MNA for Pointe-aux-Trembles (2018–present)[54]
- Valérie Schmaltz, MNA for Vimont (2022–present)[55]
- Sébastien Schneeberger, MNA for Drummond–Bois-Francs (2012–present) and Drummond (2007–2008)[56]
- Christopher Skeete, MNA for Sainte-Rose (2018–present).[57]
- François St-Louis, MNA for Joliette (2022–present)[43]
- Marie-Louise Tardif, MNA for Laviolette–Saint-Maurice (2018–present)[37]
- Louis-Charles Thouin, MNA for Rousseau (2018–present)[37]
Opinion polling
Leadership election
CAQ supporters
| Polling firm | Last date of polling |
Sample size | Source | MoE | Guy Cormier |
Christian Dubé |
Bernard Drainville |
Christine Fréchette |
Eric Girard |
Geneviève Guilbault |
Simon Jolin- Barrette |
Sonia LeBel |
Jean- François Roberge |
Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Léger | January 29, 2026 | 134 | [58] | – | – | – | 22% | 59% | – | – | – | – | – | Another candidate 5% Don’t know/refused to answer 14% |
| Léger | November 10, 2025 | 98 | [59] | – | 6% | – | 1% | 9% | – | 15% | 18% | 6% | – | Other 5% Don’t know/refused to answer 40% |
| Léger | June 22, 2025 | 117 | [60] | – | – | 20% | 6% | 2% | – | 23% | 11% | 11% | – | Other 1% Don’t know/refused to answer 25% |
| Pallas Data | November 26, 2024 | 204 | [61] | – | – | 16.2% | 9.1% | – | 2.6% | 25.5% | 9.8% | 6.2% | 1.0% | None of these candidates 7.9% Uncertain 21.7% |
All Quebecers
| Polling firm | Last date of polling |
Sample size | Source | MoE | Guy Cormier |
Christian Dubé |
Bernard Drainville |
Christine Fréchette |
Eric Girard |
Geneviève Guilbault |
Simon Jolin- Barrette |
Sonia LeBel |
Jean- François Roberge |
Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Léger | January 29, 2025 | 1000 | [58] | ±3.1% | – | – | 10% | 34% | – | – | – | – | – | Another candidate 18% Don’t know/refused to answer 38% |
| Léger | November 10, 2025 | 1031 | [59] | ±3.1% | 4% | – | 4% | 5% | – | 10% | 10% | 8% | – | Other 9% Don’t know/refused to answer 51% |
| SOM | October 12, 2025 | 1058 | [62] | ±3.5% | – | 10% | 6% | 5% | – | 10% | 14% | 14% | – | Other 5% I don’t know 36% |
| Léger | June 22, 2025 | 1056 | [60] | ±3.0% | – | 10% | 5% | 3% | – | 12% | 8% | 9% | – | Other 10% Don’t know/refused to answer 44% |
| Pallas Data | November 26, 2024 | 1093 | [61] | ±3% | – | 10.4% | 6.1% | – | 2.5% | 15.4% | 9.2% | 9.2% | 1.2% | None of these candidates 24.3% Uncertain 21.8% |
General election
Bernard Drainville as leader
| Polling organisation | Last date of polling | Source | Sample size | MoE | CAQ | QS | PQ | PLQ | PCQ | Other | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Léger | January 29, 2025 | [58] | 742 | – | 15 | 9 | 34 | 24 | 14 | 4 | 10 |
Christine Fréchette as leader
| Polling organisation | Last date of polling | Source | Sample size | MoE | CAQ | QS | PQ | PLQ | PCQ | Other | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Léger | January 29, 2025 | [58] | 765 | – | 25 | 7 | 30 | 21 | 14 | 3 | 5 |
References
- ^ a b "François Legault resigns as Quebec's premier with election approaching | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ "Opinion: Hero to zero: François Legault is following in Justin Trudeau's footsteps". The Globe and Mail. August 8, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ Chouinard, Tommy (January 14, 2026). "Démission de François Legault: « Être premier ministre a été le plus grand honneur de ma vie »". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ "François Legault abdique, la CAQ se met à la recherche d'un sauveur". Radio-Canada (in Canadian French). January 14, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ "«Aucun intérêt»: Mario Dumont répète qu'il ne souhaite pas remplacer François Legault". TVA Nouvelles. January 14, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ a b Mignacca, Franca; Shingler, Benjamin (January 14, 2026). "Quebec Premier François Legault announces resignation".
- ^ Fournier, Philippe J. (January 13, 2026). "Sondage Pallas Data–Qc125–L'actualité : la CAQ bonne dernière". L’actualité (in Canadian French). Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ Morris, Erika (January 14, 2026). "Legault resigns as Quebec premier amid unfavourable polls, controversy". CTVNews. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2222466/prochain-chef-coalition-avenir-quebec-premier-ministre-francois-legault
- ^ https://globalnews.ca/news/11624961/new-caq-leader-quebec-premier-selected-april/
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/caq-leadership-race-rules-9.7055456
- ^ https://x.com/CFrechette/status/2017411226473546019?s=20
- ^ https://x.com/BDrainvilleQc/status/2017653916595290363?s=20
- ^ a b Côté, Sandrine (January 24, 2026). "Bernard Drainville se lance dans la course à la chefferie de la CAQ". Radio-Canada (in French). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ CMU (January 25, 2026). "QC Minister Christine Fréchette is entering the race for the leadership of the CAQ". thecanadianpressnews.ca. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
- ^ Hassin, Hadi (January 23, 2026). "Bonnardel is out". Twitter.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Bonnardel, Francois (January 23, 2026). "I will not be a candidate". Twitter.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d "Succession de Legault : Fréchette en « réflexion », Girard « intéressé »". Radio-Canada (in Canadian French). January 15, 2026. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ^ QMI, Agence (January 14, 2026). "«Aucun intérêt»: Mario Dumont répète qu'il ne souhaite pas remplacer François Legault". TVA Nouvelles.
- ^ a b c Lajoie, Geneviève (January 14, 2026). "Guilbault, Fréchette, LeBel, Jolin-Barrette, Drainville ou Olivier Primeau: la CAQ devra se trouver un nouveau chef, qui deviendra PM du Québec". TVA Nouvelles. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ ICI.Radio-Canada.ca, Zone Politique- (January 21, 2026). "Succession de François Legault : Jolin-Barrette et Drainville en réflexion, Girard renonce". Radio-Canada (in Canadian French). Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^ ICI.Radio-Canada.ca, Zone Politique- (January 18, 2026). "« Mes enfants passent en premier » : Guilbault ne sollicitera pas de nouveau mandat". Radio-Canada.
- ^ Bovet, Sébastien (January 23, 2026). "Simon Jolin-Barrett will not run". Twitter.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Lafreniere, Ian (January 21, 2026). "I am asking Christine Frenchette to run".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Lau, Rachel (January 19, 2026). "Sonia LeBel leaving politics at the end of her term". CTVNews. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
- ^ Joncas, Hugo; Chouinard, Tommy (January 16, 2026). "Démission de François Legault: Olivier Primeau ne se présentera pas à la chefferie de la CAQ". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ a b Porter, Isabelle; Carabin, François; Sioui, Marie-Michèle (January 15, 2026). "Girard intéressé par la chefferie de la CAQ; un mouvement s'organise derrière Fréchette". Le Devoir (in French). Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ QMI Agency (January 24, 2026). "Jean-François Simard renonce à la direction de la CAQ". TVA Nouvelles (in French). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ Martel, Éric (January 16, 2026). "Chefferie de la CAQ | Christopher Skeete ne sera pas de la course". La Presse (in French). Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ "CAQ leadership race: Drainville receives the endorsement of a Laval MNA". Courier Laval (in Canadian French). February 25, 2026. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ^ a b https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/quebec/957474/trois-elus-rallient-drainville-deux-frechette-chefferie-caq
- ^ Drainville, Bernard (January 25, 2026). "Another endorsement". twitter.
- ^ Jaquet, Emma (January 21, 2026). "Chefferie de la CAQ : Kariane Bourassa appuie Bernard Drainville". CIHO FM Charlevoix (in Canadian French). Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^ https://www.noovo.info/nouvelles/politique/article/chefferie-de-la-caq-eric-caire-appuie-bernard-drainville/
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m https://montreal.citynews.ca/2026/01/29/frechette-gaining-support-drainville-launch-campaign-sunday/
- ^ a b c https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2026-01-24/direction-de-la-caq/deux-appuis-pour-drainville-un-veteran-avec-frechette.php
- ^ https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2026-02-01/direction-de-la-caq/drainville-pourfend-frechette-et-rompt-avec-l-ere-legault.php
- ^ Bellerose, Patrick (January 21, 2026). "Course à la chefferie de la CAQ: Samuel Poulin et Kariane Bourassa appuient Bernard Drainville". Le Journal de Québec (in Canadian French). Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^ https://radiochnc.com/2026/02/19/course-a-la-direction-de-la-caq-stephane-sainte-croix-appuie-bernard-drainville/
- ^ https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2026-01-21/direction-de-la-caq/une-course-a-trois-se-dessine.php
- ^ a b Chouinard, Tommy; Lecavalier, Charles (January 22, 2026). "Course à la direction de la CAQ | Fréchette se lance dimanche, Drainville bientôt". La Presse (in French). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
Ils sont 11 […] à accorder leur confiance à Christine Fréchette après l'ajout, jeudi, des députés Karine Boivin Roy et François St-Louis
- ^ https://www.journaldequebec.com/2026/02/09/succession-de-francois-legault--lex-ministre-et-adequiste-francois-bonnardel-donne-son-appui-a-christine-frechette
- ^ https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2026-01-19/course-a-la-direction-de-la-caq/deux-autres-ministres-donnent-leur-appui-a-christine-frechette.php
- ^ https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2222162/katerie-champagne-frechette-caq-quebec-course
- ^ https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2026-01-19/course-a-la-direction-de-la-caq/deux-autres-ministres-donnent-leur-appui-a-christine-frechette.php
- ^ https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2026-01-21/direction-de-la-caq/une-course-a-trois-se-dessine.php
- ^ https://www.cflo.ca/chantale-jeannotte-commente-les-departs-de-genevieve-guilbault-et-sonia-lebel/
- ^ "Course à la direction de la CAQ: Mathieu Lacombe donne son appui à Christine Fréchette". January 19, 2026 – via www.lapresse.ca.
- ^ https://www.journaldequebec.com/2026/01/21/succession-de-francois-legault--une-autre-ministre-appuie-la-ministre-christine-frechette
- ^ https://cfnj.net/un-autre-appui-pour-christine-frechette-2/
- ^ https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2233714/mathieu-rivest-christine-frechette-caq
- ^ Lachance, Nicolas (January 25, 2026). "Succession de François Legault: la ministre Christine Fréchette mise au parfum une semaine avant la démission du premier ministre". Le Journal de Québec (in French). Retrieved January 25, 2026.
[…] Chantal Rouleau [est] déjà rangé[e] derrière [l]a candidature [de Christine Fréchette].
- ^ Laplante, Noémie (January 25, 2026). "Christine Fréchette se lance officiellement dans la course à la chefferie de la CAQ". Radio-Canada (in French). Retrieved January 25, 2026.
Mme Fréchette bénéficie de l'appui public d'une quinzaine de députés caquistes. [C]ette liste comprend […] Valérie Schmaltz […]
- ^ https://monvicto.com/2026/02/19/sebastien-schneeberger-appuie-christine-frechette-dans-la-course-a-la-direction-de-la-caq/
- ^ https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2026/02/01/course-a-la-chefferie-de-la-caq-christopher-skeete-soutient-la-candidature-de-christine-frechette
- ^ a b c d "Intentions de vote au Québec | Janvier 2026" (PDF). Léger (in French). January 30, 2026. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ a b "Politique au Québec | Novembre 2025" (PDF). Léger (in French). November 12, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ a b "Politique au Québec | Juin 2025" (PDF). Léger (in French). June 26, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ a b "Intentions de vote au Québec et les opinions sur l'avenir de François Legault" (PDF). Pallas Data (in French). November 27, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ Chouinard, Tommy (October 22, 2025). "Sondage SOM-La Presse | « Ça va mal pour lui partout »". La Presse (in French). Retrieved January 16, 2026.