As Quebec voters prepare to head to the polls on October 5, 2026, Conservative Party of Quebec Leader Éric Duhaime is seeking to turn years of political setbacks into a breakthrough for his party.
Duhaime, 57, has led the Conservative Party of Quebec since 2021, when he won nearly 96% of the vote in the party’s leadership contest. Despite the party’s growing support, it has yet to win a seat in Quebec’s National Assembly.
The party received nearly 13% of the popular vote in the 2022 provincial election, but failed to elect an MLA. Duhaime himself later attempted to enter the legislature through the 2025 Arthabaska byelection, but was defeated by the Parti Québécois candidate.
Before entering politics, Duhaime was widely known as a radio host, political commentator, columnist and author. He also worked as a political adviser and researcher, including roles with the Bloc Québécois and the federal Canadian Alliance.
Born in Montreal and raised in Laval, Duhaime studied political science at the Université de Montréal before earning a master’s degree in public administration from the École nationale d’administration publique.
His political career has largely been built around lower taxes, smaller government, greater provincial autonomy and reducing government spending. During the current campaign, he has also positioned his party as an alternative to the larger political parties competing for support across Quebec.
Duhaime has called on Quebecers to give his party enough seats to hold the balance of power in the National Assembly. He has also strongly opposed the Parti Québécois’ proposal for another sovereignty referendum.
The 2026 campaign has provided the Conservative Party with an opportunity to build on its recent electoral momentum. Duhaime has pointed to strong second-place finishes in recent byelections as evidence that the party is becoming a more significant force in Quebec politics.
However, the Conservatives face a crowded political field, with the Parti Québécois, Coalition Avenir Québec, Quebec Liberal Party and Québec solidaire all competing for seats and influence in the province.
With election day approaching, Duhaime’s central challenge is converting the party’s growing popular support into actual seats. A breakthrough in the National Assembly would represent a major milestone for the Conservatives and their leader.
Swifteradio.com
