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Quebec’s electoral map has been completely redrawn, with the Parti Québécois securing enough seats to form a minority government.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon succeeded in growing his party from only three seats in 2022 to 59 on Monday.
But the PQ leader didn’t get the majority he coveted, which will make it more difficult to follow through on his plans — including holding a referendum on Quebec independence.
Here is a closer look at where things stand and what to expect from the next government.
WATCH | Day after the election, CBC Daybreak hosts special to look at results:
Quebec Votes 2026 | Daybreak election special
Tune in to a province-wide morning election special of Daybreak Montreal. Host Sean Henry will be joined live by Quebec AM’s Gordon Lambie and Rachel Watts to provide analysis and reactions from across the province.
PQ dreams big
In his victory speech, St-Pierre Plamondon promised to work with other parties and be “direct and transparent” with Prime Minister Mark Carney, setting the stage for a tense relationship with Ottawa.
He also spoke in English, addressing his “English-speaking friends in Quebec.”
“I just want to let you know very clearly that I’ll be the premier of everyone in Quebec,” he said, adding, “we share the same future.”
WATCH | PQ leader addresses English speakers:
Parti Québécois leader addresses English-speaking Quebecers in victory speech
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon took a moment to speak to anglophones in the province, saying that all Quebecers face the same challenges, and that he looks forward to solving problems together.
Near the end of his speech, St-Pierre Plamondon told supporters he still dreams of making Quebec a country, speaking of the “courageous struggle of francophones” to preserve their culture.
“We deserve it just as much as any other people who possess their own country and democracy,” he said.
In practical terms, however, a referendum doesn’t seem likely — at least in the near term.
The PQ would now need the backing of Québec Solidaire, the only other sovereigntist party in the National Assembly, to push forward with a referendum.
St-Pierre Plamondon said he would delay a referendum until 2029 or 2030, after U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office, but minority governments in Quebec typically last less than two years.
CAQ wiped out
Just four years after winning a massive majority, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) appears to be entirely wiped off the map.
The party failed to win a single seat.
Christine Fréchette, who took over as premier from François Legault, failed to win over voters frustrated after eight years of CAQ rule.
“I have Quebec tattooed on my heart,” she said in her concession speech, noting she was the second woman to lead the province. “I gave everything I could.”
There will be questions about the future viability of the party, which had little grassroots support and no longer has a single MNA.
It was co-founded by Legault as an alternative to the old debates between the Liberals and Parti Québécois over sovereignty — a dynamic that appears likely to play out once again at the National Assembly.
WATCH | Fréchette after a difficult night:
CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette takes ownership of party’s fall in concession speech
At party headquarters in Trois-Rivières, Que., Fréchette thanked her National Assembly colleagues. She said the party’s fall was her responsibility alone, and that being premier was the greatest honour of her life.Liberals in opposition
The Liberals are in a stronger-than-expected position after Monday, jumping from 19 seats to a projected 40.
Speaking to supporters, Liberal Leader Charles Milliard said Quebec voters elected a National Assembly without a majority, so the PQ will have an obligation to consider proposals coming from other parties.
He said the Liberals will be reviewing proposals put forward by the PQ and considering if they are in the province’s best interest.
“Preparing your referendum will find you facing a clear opponent in the Liberal Party,” Milliard said.
Switching to English, he said his party will collaborate on many issues, but “there is no way we will collaborate on a potential referendum.”
Conservative breakthrough
The Conservatives also had a good night, jumping from zero seats in 2022 to 19. The party could prove to be a partner to the PQ on some of its shared priorities.
Leader Éric Duhaime, who campaigned on tax and spending cuts, will now have a seat at the National Assembly.
“Tonight, hope has returned to Quebec,” Duhaime said. “We have just written a page in history.”
WATCH | Duhaime celebrates rise of Conservatives:
Quebec Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime touts party as ‘credible alternative’ for anglophones
During a speech that celebrated the Conservatives’ rise, Duhaime made a direct appeal to English-speaking Quebecers, encouraging them to look past the Quebec Liberal Party to his own.Time for electoral reform?
During the campaign, St-Pierre Plamondon — alongside the Conservatives and Québec Solidaire — promised to finally overhaul the province’s voting system. Monday’s results will only add urgency to that pledge.
For the first time in Quebec history, the PQ is projected to form the government with less than 30 per cent of the popular vote.
It is a historic anomaly that will immediately renew scrutiny of the province’s first-past-the-post electoral system.