As voters across Quebec began casting their ballots in advance voting, a new poll shows the Parti Québécois (PQ) heading toward a majority government even as support for Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) was collapsing.
In a poll by Synopsis-La Presse released Sunday, the CAQ dropped by seven percentage points in voter intention polls to just 17 per cent, while the PQ gained two points to reach 30 per cent.
The Quebec Conservatives (PCQ), led by Éric Duhaime, who have a bump in the polls in recent weeks also added three points equalling CAQ’s 17 per cent. Québec solidaire (QS) also made some gains with 13 per cent, placing the party in the fifth position.
The Quebec Liberals led by Charles Milliard placed second but their support remained at 22 per cent, meaning their promotion was due to the CAQ’s decline rather than a gain in support.
The results were share of support among voters who have made a final choice on which party they will be supporting. Around 13 per cent of those polled said they were still undecided with just over a week left to go before the final opportunity to vote on Oct. 5.
CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette’s own standing also declined among Quebecers just like her party’s. The outgoing premier slid six percentage points in the number of voters saying she would make the best premier, even as PQ’s Paul St-Pierre Plamondon gained two points to reach 26 per cent. Notably, nearly one in five electors said none of the leaders of the major parties would their choice for the next premier of Quebec.
PQ’s momentum was seen across several geographies and demographic groups.
PQ leads among Francophone voters with 36 per cent, those aged 35 and older. The party has particularly gained support among those 55 and older — a demographic which had been CAQ’s strongest backers.
The PCQ polled the second-best among voters aged 35 and 54 with the support of nearly a quarter of Quebecers behind PQ’s 32 per cent. The QS is the favourite among younger voters aged between 18 and 34 with 25 per cent support.
The PQ was also widening its lead in the suburbs of Montreal, where Synopsis says the race is no longer close. PQ lead with 32 per cent of voter support while the PLQ and the CAQ were virtually tied for the second spot.
While the Conservatives and the PQ are also locked in a close battle in the Quebec City region with the PCQ maintaining a one-point lead with 31 per cent support, the Liberals and the QS dominate the Island of Montreal with 38 per cent and 22 per cent respectively.
The poll was conducted online among 1,000 voters from across the province between Sept. 24 and 27.
Quebecers head to the polls on Oct. 5. Advance polling is taking place Sept. 27 and 28.
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