Four parties, one split: how a 28% vote became 59 seats
The PQ won about 28% of the vote, the Liberals 24.4%, the CAQ 13.3%, according to Courthouse News citing Élections Québec. Turnout was 66.9%. The PQ took 59 seats, the Liberals 40, the Conservatives about 19 and Québec solidaire about nine. Late surges for the Liberals and Conservatives blocked a PQ majority, as CBC and the Globe and Mail reported.
First-past-the-post rewards concentrated support. The PQ's francophone base is large and geographically efficient, while its rivals split the rest.
If you want to understand how a referendum might fare, look at the 72% who did not vote PQ, not the 28% who did.
Expect the electoral-reform debate to restart. In Quebec, it already has a history.
DailyDrop Canada edition No. 1 · Morning · MON., OCT. 5, 2026