Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) leader Eric Duhaime wants to put pressure on Radio-Canada and is petitioning the public broadcaster to host a leadership debate in the nation’s capital.
As of noon, a petition will be posted on the PCQ website demanding that Radio-Canada hold its leaders’ debate on Sept. 23, 2026, in Quebec City rather than Montreal.
The Conservatives received unanimous support from all political groups represented in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Radio-Canada, however, refuses to change the location of its debate, which is scheduled to take place at its Montreal studio.
According to Eric Duhaime, only Radio-Canada has the financial resources and capabilities needed to host the event in Quebec, as it is funded by taxpayers. He notes that debates have already been organized in the capital, in particular at the Hotel du Parlement and the restaurant Le Parlementaire.
The Parti Québécois is also convinced the debate should be held in the National Capital Region and has also made a request to the public broadcaster.
“Our capital must remain central to the electoral process, and it would be unfortunate if the debate did not take place there,” the formation pointed out to X.
In total, there will be five debates or major political meetings in Montreal during the campaign: the TVA Face-to-Face, the Noovo debate, as well as three events organized by Radio-Canada, namely the Leaders’ Debate, Five leaders, one election and interviews with Everybody’s talking about it.
“The first step was to reach a consensus of all political parties. Now that is done. The second step was to indicate that we want the public broadcaster to organize the event. Now we are moving to the third step: to rally public opinion and demonstrate that the people of Quebec support us,” the Conservative leader said.
The Conservatives’ Burden
The Conservatives, who plan to focus their campaign on the Quebec and Chaudière-Appalachian regions, have made no secret of the fact that having to spend two weeks in Montreal will be an additional burden.
However, they argue that the issue is primarily symbolic. They denounce the message sent by “decisions made in Montreal for Montreal.”
“We will be forced to talk about the implementation of electoral campaigns,” said Mr. Duhaime, believing that the imbalance has come to the detriment of the rest of Quebec and its regions.
The petition also recalls that the National Capital Act recognizes Quebec as the preferred location for major political gatherings.
The Conservatives could also ask their federal colleagues to table a petition in the House of Commons, since Radio-Canada is funded by the federal government.