Conservative wave sweeps Quebec City region as PCQ captures nearly every seat

A three-way fight in the Quebec City region

Monday's election night in the Canadian province of Quebec brought dramatic change to the area around Quebec City, where three parties competed for seats in the provincial National Assembly: Québec solidaire (QS) and the Parti québécois (PQ) were trying to hold onto their existing seats, while the Parti conservateur du Québec (PCQ) hoped to elect its first-ever members from the region.

The outcome was striking — the conservatives can call it mission accomplished, having taken nearly the entire region. QS held onto its two Quebec City ridings, while PQ's Pascal Paradis had to concede defeat.

A different picture from 2022

In the 2022 election, the governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) swept the whole Quebec City region except for the ridings of Taschereau and Jean-Lesage, which were won by Québec solidaire. In 2026 the picture is very different, with a conservative wave hitting the region.

Key results

Among the notable results of the night:

• The PQ lost its own riding of Jean-Talon.
• Caroline Simard finished ahead of PQ's François Gariépy and former CAQ minister Kariane Bourassa in Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré.
• QS's Sol Zanetti was re-elected in Jean-Lesage.
• Conservative candidate and former Radio X host Dominique Dumas won in Chutes-de-la-Chaudière.
• QS's Etienne Grandmont was re-elected in Taschereau.
• 23-year-old conservative Éloïse Coulombe won in Charlesbourg.
• CAQ minister Bernard Drainville lost Lévis to conservative Karine Laflamme.
• Conservative party leader Éric Duhaime was elected in Bellechasse.
• Maïté Blanchette-Vézina won La Peltrie for the PCQ.

Drainville's reaction

After losing Lévis, outgoing minister Bernard Drainville said that, despite his disappointment, he felt a great deal of pride.