--- title: "Quebec election campaign: Parties focus on taxes, trade and leave" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/quebec-election-campaign-parties-focus-on-taxes-trade-and-leave" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/quebec-election-campaign-parties-focus-on-taxes-trade-and-leave" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/quebec-election-campaign-parties-focus-on-taxes-trade-and-leave.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/quebec-election-campaign-parties-focus-on-taxes-trade-and-leave" category: "Politics" published: "2026-08-28T18:46:08.881Z" source_reported: "2026-08-28T18:18:27.000Z" updated: "2026-08-28T20:00:17.155Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 59 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-28T20:00:16.687513+00:00" --- # Quebec election campaign: Parties focus on taxes, trade and leave *Leaders outline economic and family policies on the second day of campaigning for the October 5, 2026 election.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to The Canadian Press, and the report names specific party leaders and their promises. - Craft 59 of 100, higher is better. The report clearly separates fact from comment and provides specific details about party promises and election dates. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is neutral and proportionate, with a headline that accurately reflects the article's content. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Quebecers will vote in a provincial election on October 5, 2026. - Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon promised a 20 per cent tax reduction for Quebec businesses. - Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Millard pledged to reduce the share of exports to the United States by at least 15 per cent. - Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette proposed boosting the parental insurance plan with additional leave for fathers and more flexibility. The second day of campaigning for the Quebec provincial election, scheduled for October 5, 2026, saw parties outline their economic and family policies. Taxes, international trade, and parental leave were central themes. Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon announced a commitment to reduce taxes for Quebec businesses by 20 per cent during his first term if elected. He made this announcement at the site of the cancelled Northvolt electric battery plant, criticising the current government's economic intervention strategies. Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Millard focused on the ongoing trade disputes, pledging to decrease the proportion of Quebec exports sent to the United States by a minimum of 15 per cent through market diversification. Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette proposed enhancements to the Quebec parental insurance plan, including an additional two weeks of leave for fathers, increased flexibility, and bereavement leave. Québec solidaire is expanding on a previous pledge to establish 15 public grocery stores. The Conservatives are also promising a tax cut. ## Coverage comparison ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated reports analysed covered the election campaign announcements. The left and centre-rated reports did not mention any specific figures for the proposed tax cut by the Conservatives, nor did they provide details on the number of public grocery stores Québec solidaire plans to open beyond the figure of 15. ## Who covered it Shares of the 20 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 70% (14) - Centre: 30% (6) - Right: 0% (0) 1 of 21 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-28T20:00:16.687513+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-28T20:30:19.471Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Eight left-rated reports carried details of the election campaign announcements. These reports highlighted promises from the Parti Québécois, Quebec Liberals, Coalition Avenir Québec, Québec solidaire, and the Conservatives. The specific pledges mentioned included Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's promise to reduce business taxes by 20 per cent, Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Millard's pledge to reduce exports to the US by 15 per cent, and Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette's plan to boost the parental insurance plan. The expansion of Québec solidaire's public grocery store network and the Conservatives' tax cut promise were also noted. ### Centre - The Medicine Hat News, the only full report, stated that taxes, parental leave and the US trade war were central to the second day of the Quebec election campaign. It reported that the Parti Québécois leader promised a 20 per cent tax reduction for businesses. - The report also noted the Quebec Liberal Leader's pledge to reduce exports to the US by 15 per cent through market diversification. The Coalition Avenir Québec leader was reported to be promising more parental leave for fathers and bereavement leave. - Québec solidaire's promise of 15 public grocery stores and the Conservatives' tax cut promise were also mentioned. The digests from Ckpg Today, Winnipeg Free Press, Battlefords NOW, meadowlakeNOW, and CFJC Today Kamloops all carried similar headlines and opening sentences. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 12 - unknown: 2 - veryHigh: 7 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/canada/quebec/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign/article_a2ed63dc-f432-52b5-a87a-c246b834dc97.html) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/national-news/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign-12718928) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [SooToday.com](https://sootoday.com/national-news/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign-12718928) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Collingwood Today](https://collingwoodtoday.ca/national-news/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign-12718928) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Thorold Today](https://thoroldtoday.ca/national-news/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign-12718928) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Sudbury](https://sudbury.com/national/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign-12718928) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Bay Today](https://baytoday.ca/national-news/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign-12718928) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Medicine Hat News](https://medicinehatnews.com/news/national-news/2026/08/28/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Ckpg Today](https://ckpgtoday.ca/2026/08/28/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Bowen Island Undercurrent](https://bowenislandundercurrent.com/the-mix/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign-12719042) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Airdrie City View](https://airdriecityview.com/national-business/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign-12719034) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Orillia Matters](https://orilliamatters.com/national-news/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign-12718928) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Battlefords NOW](https://battlefordsnow.com/2026/08/28/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [meadowlakeNOW](https://meadowlakenow.com/2026/08/28/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [CFJC Today Kamloops](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/08/28/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Timmins Today](https://timminstoday.com/national-news/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign-12718928) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [thealbertan.com](https://thealbertan.com/national-business/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign-12719034) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [flamboroughtoday.com](https://flamboroughtoday.com/national-news/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign-12718928) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/business/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign/article_c1c1f7c9-cd53-582a-bfcd-ed6ba7d1aefd.html) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [The Record](https://therecord.com/business/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign/article_cda923af-c575-5c62-81b6-c08304a924e0.html) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/08/28/parties-talk-taxes-trade-war-and-parental-leave-on-day-2-of-quebec-election-campaign) — Parties talk taxes, trade war and parental leave on Day 2 of Quebec election campaign ## Questions **When will Quebecers vote in the provincial election?** Quebecers are scheduled to vote in the provincial election on October 5, 2026. This date was mentioned as the election day during the second day of campaigning. **What tax cuts are being proposed for businesses?** The Parti Québécois, led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, has promised to reduce taxes for Quebec businesses by 20 per cent. The Conservatives are also promising a tax cut, though specific figures were not detailed in the reports. **How do the parties plan to address trade with the United States?** Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Millard pledged to reduce the share of Quebec exports going to the United States by at least 15 per cent. This would be achieved by diversifying export markets. **What changes are proposed for the parental insurance plan?** Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette proposed boosting the Quebec parental insurance plan. This includes offering an additional two weeks of leave for fathers, along with more flexibility and bereavement leave. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/quebec-election-campaign-parties-focus-on-taxes-trade-and-leave. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Quebec election campaign: Parties focus on taxes, trade and leave", https://mediabias.news/politics/quebec-election-campaign-parties-focus-on-taxes-trade-and-leave