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

By Canadian Press on April 7, 2026.

QUÉBEC — Voting is open for members of the Coalition Avenir Québec to choose a new leader who will replace Premier François Legault.

Christine Fréchette, 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 Québécois, Liberals and Conservatives.

Fréchette has announced two new endorsements including Natural Resources Minister Jean-François 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 The Canadian Press was first published April 7, 2026.

The Canadian Press