PQ candidate Catherine Gentilcore and party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon celebrate their victory in the Terrebonne byelection on Monday, March 17, 2025. The Canadian Press
The Parti Québécois (PQ) has defeated the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) in the Terrebonne byelection, marking the second time in a row that the CAQ has lost a seat to its rival. Voters in Terrebonne, northeast of Montreal, made a clear statement of dissatisfaction with Premier François Legault's government by returning to their traditional support for the PQ.
Catherine Gentilcore, the PQ candidate and former party president, easily defeated CAQ’s Alex Gagné. Gagné, who leads an organization promoting student success, was running for office for the first time. Despite his campaign efforts, the CAQ’s support collapsed.
The CAQ, which secured 49.4% of the vote in the 2022 general election, saw its support dwindle to around 30% by the end of the byelection. Meanwhile, the PQ’s share of the vote surged to about 54%, returning to the level it had before the CAQ became a political force.
The drop in CAQ support follows a string of frustrations among voters. Many voiced concerns over healthcare issues, traffic congestion, and poor public transit. This byelection loss comes after the CAQ was also defeated in the Jean-Talon byelection in 2023. That loss was seen as a backlash against the government’s broken promise to build a transportation link between Quebec City and Lévis.
Premier Legault conceded defeat early in the evening, even before all the votes were counted. He admitted that byelections often give voters a chance to express dissatisfaction with the government.
“Enjoy it while it lasts,” Legault told the PQ. “Because in 18 months, we fully intend to take Terrebonne back.”
Legault reminded his supporters that the real test will be in the 2026 general election. He promised to lead the CAQ into the next race, despite recent losses.
“2026 is when Quebecers will decide who they want as their government,” Legault said. “And I will be here for that fight.”
The mood at the CAQ’s gathering was somber, with supporters quietly sipping wine and picking at the buffet. Meanwhile, the PQ celebration was in full swing. Their venue was packed with enthusiastic supporters waving Quebec flags and chanting “Le Québec, un pays.”
PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon called the win a “decisive victory.” He praised Gentilcore, calling her a dedicated and motivated leader who would stand by the people of Terrebonne.
The PQ’s victory strengthens its growing momentum ahead of the 2026 election. The party now holds five seats in the legislature, including its first female member since Plamondon took over as leader in 2023.
The byelection also brought a small win for the federalist Liberals. Although they did not claim the seat, they improved their position, moving from fourth to third place. Their candidate, Virginie Bouchard, earned around 8% of the vote. Québec solidaire, which received 12.6% in 2022, saw its support plummet to around 4%. The Conservative candidate, Ange Claude Bigilimana, placed fifth.
The byelection was called after CAQ’s Pierre Fitzgibbon resigned in September, saying he had lost the passion for the job. The CAQ had downplayed its chances of holding the seat, given Terrebonne’s history of voting PQ in 10 out of the last 11 elections before the CAQ’s rise.
The loss slightly changes the balance of power in the legislature. The CAQ now holds 85 seats, down from 86, while the PQ increases its total to five. The Liberals hold 19 seats, Québec solidaire has 12, and there are three independents.
