Parti Quebecois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon speaks to supporters after winning the Quebec election in Montreal, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
The Parti Québécois (PQ) has formed a minority government, completing a dramatic political comeback and paving the way for an eventual third sovereignty referendum.
The PQ was elected in 59 ridings by late Monday, putting it on track to return to power for the first time in more than a decade.
The Liberals (PLQ) were elected in 40 ridings, the Conservatives (PCQ) were elected in 19, and Québec solidaire were elected in nine.
The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), which entered the election as the governing party, failed to win a seat and was wiped off the electoral map.
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Parti Québécois Parti Québécois supporters cheer as results come in at PQ headquarters on election night in Montreal, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon watches results come in alongside his spouse Alexandra Tremblay, children Maurice, Laurette and Henri in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
Parti Québécois Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon watches results come in alongside his spouse Alexandra Tremblay, and children Laurette and Henri in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
Parti Québécois Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon laughs with his children Maurice and Laurette as results come in on election night in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
Parti Quebecois A man polishes a speakers podium at the Parti Québécois headquarters on election night in Montreal, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon fist pumps to supporters after winning the provincial election in Montreal, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
Parti Québécois Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon speaks to supporters after winning the provincial election in Montreal, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
Parti Québécois Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon waves to supporters after winning the provincial election in Montreal, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
Parti Québécois Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon speaks to supporters after winning the provincial election in Montreal, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
Coalition Avenir Québec Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Frechette, centre, watches election outcome with her husband Guy Nadeau in their room at the Coalition Avenir Québec gathering in Trois-Rivières, Que., Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)
Coalition Avenir Québec Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Frechette, centre, watches election outcome with her husband Guy Nadeau, left, and her son Olivier Rebello-Frechette at the Coalition Avenir Quebec gathering in Trois-Rivieres, Que., Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)
Lionel Carmant Former Coalition Avenir Québec Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant watches the election outcome at the Coalition Avenir Québec gathering in Trois-Rivières, Que., Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)
Coalition Avenir Québec Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Frechette during her speech at the Coalition Avenir Québec gathering in Trois-Rivières, Que., Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)
Christine Frechette Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Frechette waves and puts her hand to her heart during her speech at the Coalition Avenir Quebec gathering in Trois-Rivieres, Que., Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)
Coalition Avenir Québec Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Frechette put her hand in a heart shape at the end of her speech at the Coalition Avenir Québec gathering in Trois-Rivières, Que., Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)
Coalition Avenir Quebec Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Frechette speaks at the Coalition Avenir Québecgathering in Trois-Rivières, Que., Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)
Charles Milliard Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard celebrates with supporters, on election day in North Hatley, Que., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)
Quebec Liberal Party Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard celebrates with supporters, on election day in North Hatley, Que., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)
Quebec Liberal Party Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard celebrates with supporters, on election day in North Hatley, Que., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)
Quebec Liberal Party Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard celebrates with supporters, on election day in North Hatley, Que., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)
Quebec Liberal Party Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard celebrates on stage, on election day in North Hatley, Que., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)
Quebec Liberal Party Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard celebrates on stage, on election day in North Hatley, Que., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)
Quebec Liberal Party Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard celebrates on stage, on election day in North Hatley, Que., on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)
Ruba Ghazal Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal speaks to supporters on the night of the Quebec provincial election, in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe)
Ruba Ghazal Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal speaks to supporters on the night of the Quebec provincial election, in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe)
Ruba Ghazal Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal speaks to supporters on the night of the Quebec provincial election, in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe)
Ruba Ghazal Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal speaks to supporters on the night of the Quebec provincial election, in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe)
Ruba Ghazal Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal celebrates seats won by their candidates in the National Assembly on the night of the Quebec provincial election, in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe)
Québec Solidaire Québec Solidaire supporters react to incoming results of the Quebec provincial election, in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe)
Québec solidaire Québec Solidaire supporters react to incoming results of the Quebec provincial election, in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe)
Québec Solidaire Québec Solidaire supporters react to incoming results of the Quebec provincial election, in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe)
ERIC DUHAIME Quebec Conservative Party Leader Éric Duhaime walks on stage to speak to his supporters on election night in Lévis, Que., Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Natalia Duran)
Here are some key quotes from party leaders as the results came in on Monday evening:
“Quebecers have spoken tonight. They decided to elect a Parti Québécois government while also asking it to work with the other parties. I understand that message perfectly, and I will do everything I can to live up to what Quebecers are asking of us.”
— Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon
“(The result) means that the Parti Québécois does not have all the powers to do whatever they want. They’re going to have to discuss, collaborate, and we’ll be collaborating on some issues, but obviously not on the main issue (of a referendum).”
— Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard
“Hope is being reborn in Quebec, because tonight we have just written a page of history. For the first time in 100 years, Quebecers have decided to send a large caucus of Conservative MNAs to the National Assembly.”
— Quebec Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime
“What a great campaign. We resisted. It felt like we were starting from pretty far behind. But damn, we fought like only the left knows how to fight.”
— Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal
“Quebecers have spoken. Their choice is clear. I respect it. The result is clearly not the one we were hoping for. And as leader, I take full responsibility. Not our candidates, not our activists, not our volunteers. Me.”
