PQ suspects Conservatives of breaking law in Arthabaska by-election

Éric Duhaime of the PCQ gives remarks at an election party during a by-election in Quebec's Arthabaska riding, in Victoriaville, Que., on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press)

The Parti Québécois (PQ) suspects the Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ) of breaking the rules during the by-election held in the Arthabaska constituency last summer.

Speaking to the press in Quebec City on Friday, PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon addressed reports first published in the Journal de Québec.

He stated that he suspects the Conservative leader and candidate in Arthabaska, Éric Duhaime, of having significantly underestimated his election expenses.

According to him, Duhaime allegedly received a discount on the books he distributed free of charge to voters and on the accommodation he rented during the campaign.

However, the Electoral Act stipulates that no one may “claim or receive a price different from the current market price” for goods or services provided to a candidate.

St-Pierre Plamondon confirmed that his party lodged a complaint with Élections Québec.

“The rule is that every party campaigns on the same budget. If there is a party that does not declare everything, and spends more than is permitted, (...) our electoral system will not work,” he stated.

For his part, Duhaime claims he has nothing to be ashamed of. He accused St-Pierre Plamondon during a press scrum on Friday of waging a “smear campaign”.

“Does he want to stoop to that level and then engage in politics of that nature? I find that extraordinarily disappointing of Paul St-Pierre Plamondon,” he said.

“It’s not befitting of someone who aspires to be premier,” he added.

Duhaime defended himself by claiming he sought the advice of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) before purchasing the books, in this case, his own biography “Envers et pour tous.”

“We did so in accordance with the DGE’s guidelines,” he insists.

He then explains that he did not pay the full price for a property advertised online because “we did not rent the entire building (...) and the person who was renting it even continued to live in the property”.

“So, the cost wasn’t the same. That explains the difference in costs.”

It should be recalled that on Aug. 11, it was PQ candidate Alex Boissonneault who won the by-election in Arthabaska after a tough campaign against his closest rival, Duhaime.

Duhaime spared no effort, running an active grassroots campaign in the hope of snatching the constituency from the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) and making his debut in the National Assembly.

“If the facts are proven, then yes, it is problematic, but we will wait to see what the investigation says,” Liberal leader Charles Milliard said on Friday.

The parliamentary leader of Québec solidaire (QS), Ruba Ghazal, also stated that she was aware of the PQ’s complaint against the PCQ.

“If it is true, I find it extremely, extremely worrying. Mr. Duhaime must demonstrate the utmost transparency. The public’s trust in the political class is at stake,” she warned.

Visiting Drummondville, Premier Christine Fréchette, for her part, remained cautious: “I will let the Chief Electoral Officer assess the situation. I have no further comment.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 15, 2026.