MONTREAL — Quebec political leaders are entering their 17th day on the campaign trail Sunday with their first debate approaching on Tuesday. The Liberal party is expected to present its financial framework today. The Parti Québécois will then be the only one left to present its financial framework. Follow along for key updates: Liberals’ fiscal plan a return to ‘economic realism,’ says Milliard This is not the time for election “giveaways” or “enticing” tax cuts, said Charles Milliard Sunday as he presented his fiscal framework, in which he proposes a return to “economic realism.” The Liberals’ promises are estimated at $12 billion, and the target for a balanced budget is set for 2029–2030. The Liberals are aware of the $6-billion hole in public finances. They claim to be able to close it and pay for their promises by reforming the government, refocusing certain tax credits, and cracking down on illegal online gambling, among other measures. They also anticipate a $4.36-billion increase in federal transfers by 2030–2031. “This is not the time for election-year giveaways or tax cuts—which, while certainly appealing, are unrealistic in the current context,” the Liberal leader stated at a press conference in Quebec City. Milliard has previously committed to cutting 12,000 public sector jobs. He reiterated that public services in health, education, and culture will not be affected. Over the next five years, departmental spending will increase by only 2.4 per cent on average. Milliard assured that this was not austerity. The framework includes $4 billion in contingency reserves due to the unpredictability surrounding Donald Trump’s trade war. The Liberals also want to end the welcome tax refund and the tax exemption for certain foods—measures implemented by the CAQ. They estimate they can recoup more than $980 million over five years. The Quebec Liberal Party has committed to increasing the Quebec Infrastructure Program (PQI) to $195 billion over 10 years starting in 2027. For CAQ Finance Minister Eric Girard, that’s too much. The Canadian Press Fréchette believes victory is within the CAQ’s Reach CAQ leader Christine Fréchette told a group of enthusiastic supporters “this victory is within our reach” on Sunday, holding out the prospect of a third term for the party. “In 2026, our new victory will open a new chapter in this great history,” she also declared before some 400 supporters chanting “Christine!” during her first major campaign rally in Kingsey Falls, in the Drummond-Bois-Francs riding (Centre-du-Québec). After spending several days trying to explain to reporters her convictions about Quebec’s future and refusing to say where she was staying, Fréchette extensively justified her stance in favour of autonomy, which she prefers over independence or federalism. The person who had taken the stage before her—her candidate in Richmond, constitutional expert Guillaume Rousseau—hinted at the possibility of reforming the Canadian Constitution to Quebec’s advantage—something that has not been attempted since the Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords in 1990 and 1992. He even suggested that one day the federal government will be open to constitutional reform, allowing Quebec to rejoin the 1982 Constitution—the repatriation of the Constitution imposed on Quebec, which the Lévesque government had refused to sign. “We are in the ‘Yes’ camp on constitutional reform, more than ever,” he said, whereas under François Legault, the CAQ had never dared to float the idea of a round of constitutional negotiations. “I am confident that, in the medium term, there will be an opportunity for Quebec to see its traditional demands succeed,” he said. The message could appeal both to PQ voters who are not ready to launch a referendum process toward independence, as well as to Liberals who had set aside their party’s former hope of reforming the federation. Fréchette, however, did not go out on a limb at all in her speech regarding constitutional reform or Quebec’s accession to the 1982 Constitution. The Canadian Press Fréchette’s prepares for two debates this week After hitting rock bottom in the polls at the beginning of 2026, Christine Fréchette’s CAQ staged a comeback but now appears to be stagnating. This week’s televised debates could influence the outcome of the campaign. Fréchette is expected to take a break for the rest of the day and on Monday to prepare for the televised debates on TVA on Tuesday night and on Noovo on Wednesday night. On Saturday, the CAQ leader campaigned in the Estrie region, as well as in the Centre-du-Québec region. The Canadian Press
