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Voting begins in Coalition Avenir Quebec leadership race to replace Premier Legault

  • The Canadian Press

  • Canadian Press

  • April 7, 2026

Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) leadership candidates Christine Frechette and Bernard Drainville shake hands prior to taking part in a leadership debate in Laval, Que., Saturday, March 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

QUEBEC -- Voting is open for members of the Coalition Avenir Quebec to choose a new leader who will replace Premier Francois Legault.

Christine Frechette, a former economy minister, and Bernard Drainville, an ex-environment minister, are the only candidates after Legault announced in January he would step down.

Approximately 20,500 eligible members have until Sunday at 3 p.m. to choose a leader.

The winner will become both party leader and premier with only months to go until the October provincial election.

Recent polls indicate the CAQ is trailing behind the Parti Quebecois, Liberals and Conservatives.

Frechette has announced two new endorsements including Natural Resources Minister Jean-Francois Simard, one day after three high-profile cabinet ministers publicly joined Drainville's camp.

Legault co-created the CAQ in 2011 and has been premier since 2018.

This report by was first published April 7, 2026.