ESTRIE VOTES 2026: The Complete Eastern Townships Provincial Election Guide

Sherbrooke, August 28, 2026 – Quebecers head to the polls on October 5, 2026, under the province’s fixed-date election law. The Eastern Townships (Estrie) represent one of the most unpredictable regions in the province, serving as a critical battleground for all major political parties.

With high-profile seat departures, party leaders running locally, and distinct regional priorities—from agricultural land protection to healthcare access for official language minority communities—here is everything voters need to know about the key ridings, candidates, and platforms shaping this election.

Sherbrooke

Covers the urban core of Sherbrooke and surrounding student districts.

With two-term Québec solidaire (QS) MNA Christine Labrie stepping down, Sherbrooke is wide open.

• Québec solidaire (QS) – Stéphanie Vachon: Representing early childhood education workers (CPE), Vachon aims to hold the seat for QS, pitching public grocery stores, expanded student housing, and regional transit investment.

• Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) – Pierre Cossette: Former rector of the Université de Sherbrooke, Cossette is mounting a high-profile bid centered on economic innovation, health network reforms, and bridging ties between Francophone and Anglophone communities.

• Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) – Fadéla Hamou: A manager in the community and construction sectors focusing on middle-class tax relief, local business support, and infrastructure.

• Parti Québécois (PQ) – Gabriel Pallotta: Focusing on healthcare decentralization, local purchasing, and French-language protections.

• Other Candidates: Pierre-Luc Garon (Présence Québec), Léo Boivin (Communist Party), Luc Lainé (Démocratie Directe), Patrick Thouin (Climat Québec).

Saint-François

Encompasses eastern Sherbrooke, Lennoxville, Cookshire-Eaton, and the Upper Saint-François region.

Saint-François blends urban, suburban, and rural dynamics alongside a significant English-speaking population around Lennoxville and Bishop’s University.

• Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) – Geneviève Hébert (Incumbent): Running for re-election with an emphasis on rural highway upgrades, local healthcare clinics, and agricultural grants.

• Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) – Jacqueline Belleau: A public affairs professional advocating for English-language service preservation, healthcare access, and regional economic stability.

• Québec solidaire (QS) – Mia Fréchette: Focusing on rural transit, tenant protections, and environmental preservation.

• Parti Québécois (PQ) – Sylvie Tanguay: Campaigning on local farm preservation, regional autonomy, and health network reforms.

• Présence Québec – Sylvie Peloquin: Running on regional governance reform.

Orford

Covers Magog, Orford, and the rural Memphremagog corridor.

Orford is drawing provincial headlines following the departure of outgoing CAQ MNA Gilles Bélanger.

• Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) – Charles Milliard: The Quebec Liberal Party Leader is running directly in Orford, elevating the district to a marquee race.

• Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) – Allison Turner: A lawyer aiming to retain the seat for the governing party by focusing on local tourism, lake conservation, and economic growth.

• Parti Québécois (PQ) – Jocelyn Caron: Highlighting environmental stewardship, regional health clinics, and Quebec sovereignty.

• Québec solidaire (QS) – Eve-Lyne Clusiault: Prioritizing eco-tourism regulations, lake ecosystem health, and affordable housing.

• Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) – Benoît Robitaille: Focusing on lower taxes, deregulation, and private/public healthcare delivery choices.

• Other Candidates: Lucie Pinard (Présence Québec), Normand Blouin (Démocratie Directe), Ngaire DeNora (Canadian Party of Quebec).

Richmond & Mégantic

• Richmond: With incumbent André Bachand stepping aside, the CAQ has fielded law professor Guillaume Rousseau. He faces former Sherbrooke Mayor Bernard Sévigny (PQ) and Hugo Fontaine (PLQ) in a competitive multi-party field.

• Mégantic: Incumbent CAQ MNA François Jacques is seeking re-election against Marilyn Ouellet (QS), Sylvain Houle (PLQ), Debbie Fennety (PQ), and Jimmy Gagnon (PCQ).

Key Platform Priorities Across the Townships

Local debates in the Eastern Townships hinge on five major issues: housing availability, healthcare access, language rights, public infrastructure, and the free market versus public spending.

The CAQ is campaigning on targeted housing subsidies, healthcare network centralization, and lower taxes for middle-class families. The Liberals (PLQ) focus on private-development tax incentives, doctor recruitment flexibility, and protecting English-language health and government services. Québec solidaire (QS) emphasizes direct public investment in social housing, expanding CLSC clinic hours, and funding regional public transit. The Parti Québécois (PQ) offers a regional approach through municipal housing funds, health board decentralization, and stricter enforcement of French-language policies. Meanwhile, the Conservatives (PCQ) advocate for free-market housing construction incentives and opening healthcare delivery to greater private-sector integration.

Conclusion

As the campaign progresses toward October 5, the Eastern Townships stands out as a crucial thermometer for Quebec’s political landscape. With key ridings undergoing major candidate shifts—highlighted by open races in Sherbrooke and Richmond, as well as a high-stakes campaign in Orford—voters across Estrie hold significant influence over the balance of power in the National Assembly. Whether regional priorities favor incumbent continuity, opposition breakthroughs, or major party re-alignments, the Townships will be watching closely on election night.