Quebec Party Leaders Clash Over Sovereignty and Trade War

Five party leaders participated in the first two televised debates of the Quebec provincial election campaign in Montreal. Christine Fréchette, leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, faced intense scrutiny over her party's eight-year governance record, specifically regarding state debt and the Northvolt battery plant project. Fréchette distanced herself from former premier François Legault, asserting her own leadership style while positioning herself as the best defender of the province against U.S. President Donald Trump.

The debates shifted toward sovereignty as Paul St-Pierre Plamondon of the Parti Québécois pledged to spend over $130 million on a sovereignty referendum, though he stated the vote would wait until after 2029. Fréchette warned this would destabilize the economy, while Liberal leader Charles Milliard criticized Fréchette for remaining ambiguous about her own referendum vote.

External pressures intensified as President Trump signed a memorandum removing Canadian-origin products from U.S. government procurement. In response, Fréchette indicated she would not rule out cutting electricity exports to the U.S., a move St-Pierre Plamondon opposed. Other disputes included Conservative leader Éric Duhaime's proposal for $47 billion in spending cuts and the use of fracking, and Québec solidaire's Ruba Ghazal's calls for taxes on high-earners to fund public services.

Polling suggests a fragmented electorate with no party exceeding 30 percent support, making a majority government unlikely. A final debate is scheduled for September 23 before voters head to the polls on October 5.