Skip to content

Montréal Times

Chicoutimi by-election 2026: Key Facts and Outlook

Cover Image for Chicoutimi by-election 2026: Key Facts and Outlook
Mathieu Gagnon
Mathieu Gagnon
Share:

Chicoutimi by-election 2026 is set to reshape provincial politics in Saguenay–Ljordue as voters head to the polls on February 23, 2026. The by-election fills a vacancy created when Andrée Laforest left the Quebec National Assembly in September 2025 to pursue municipal leadership in Saguenay. The election, scheduled for a Monday, will bring seven candidates to the ballot and test the strength of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), the Parti Québécois (PQ), and other parties in a riding that has historically trended differently from the province’s urban centers. The administratively precise timeline, the electorate size, and the cost of running the by-election are among the data points readers should watch closely as Chicoutimi by-election 2026 unfolds. (quebec.ca)

Élections Québec announced the official date on January 20, 2026, signaling a formal start to the campaign period. The by-election will take place on February 23, 2026, with a nomination window from January 22 to February 7 and changes to elector lists permissible from February 2 to February 19. Voting days at the returning office are February 13, 14, 17, 18, and 19, with advance polls on February 15 and 16. This schedule establishes a compact, information-dense period for candidates and voters alike and frames Chicoutimi by-election 2026 as a test of campaign organization, issue salience, and voter engagement ahead of Quebec’s next general election. (quebec.ca)

Opening the door to a fresh political contest, the vacancy was created on September 4, 2025, when Andrée Laforest stepped away from politics to pursue a mayoral bid in Saguenay. Her departure triggered the by-election, prompting the government to call a poll within six months as required by provincial law. The by-election is particularly noteworthy for Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean residents who have followed Laforest’s career since 2018 and for observers watching whether the riding continues its CAQ alignment or tilts toward opposition parties. (quebec.ca)

The campaign field, as of early February, includes seven authorized candidacies. The Elections Québec release notes that seven candidacies were approved on February 7, 2026, with the official list available on their website. This confirms a diverse field spanning major provincial parties and some newer entrants. Notably, the campaign has featured attention on candidates from the CAQ, PQ, QS, and other parties, with ongoing media coverage about who will carry the CAQ banner and what issues will dominate the race. For the latest candidate lineup, please consult the Elections Québec roster. (electionsquebec.qc.ca)

What Happened

Vacancy and resignation

  • The Chicoutimi seat in the National Assembly became vacant on September 4, 2025, following Andrée Laforest’s decision to leave provincial politics to run for mayor of Saguenay. Laforest had represented Chicoutimi since 2018, including a 2022 re-election with a strong showing, before shifting to municipal politics. This vacancy triggered the legal provision for a provincial by-election. (quebec.ca)

Official date and procedural timeline

  • The government formally scheduled the Chicoutimi by-election for February 23, 2026. The announcement also outlined key dates: January 21–27 as a blackout period for election-related advertising (signs allowed); January 22–February 7 for nominations; February 2–19 for elector list updates; and February 13–14 and February 17–19 for in-office voting, with February 15–16 as advance polling. This tight timetable defines how campaigns organize outreach, debates, and voter education around Chicoutimi by-election 2026. (quebec.ca)

Candidate field and process

  • As of February 7, 2026, Élections Québec had authorized seven candidacies for the Chicoutimi by-election, with the official candidate list published by the agency. Media reports during the period noted several declared contenders from major parties, including a CAQ candidate and others from PQ, QS, and PCQ, plus potential Liberal activity. The final roster was confirmed in subsequent Elections Québec releases, and additional coverage highlighted a CAQ candidate profile alongside opposition entrants. (electionsquebec.qc.ca)

Electorate size and campaign costs

  • About 45,700 electors are registered in the Chicoutimi electoral division, illustrating a mid-sized provincial riding by Canadian standards. The by-election is projected to cost around $800,000, based on the costs of the last three by-elections, underscoring the financial scale of organized campaigns and the resources required to manage an orderly vote. These figures come from Élections Québec’s by-election overview and official cost estimates. (electionsquebec.qc.ca)

Historical context and turnout

  • The last by-election in Chicoutimi took place on April 11, 2016, with a turnout of 41.10%. This historical data point provides baseline context for expectations about participation in Chicoutimi by-election 2026 and helps readers gauge whether turnout might meet, exceed, or fall short of past by-elections in the riding. For perspective, Quebec-wide turnout in the 2022 general election hovered around the mid-60s percentage, reflecting differences between general elections and by-elections. (quebec.ca)

Section 1: What Happened The Chicoutimi by-election 2026 is the result of a chain of events that began with Laforest’s departure and culminated in a formal electoral process governed by Élections Québec.

  • Vacancy and resignation timeline Andrée Laforest’s exit from the National Assembly on September 4, 2025 created the vacancy in Chicoutimi. The ruling CAQ government faced a political calculus: trigger a by-election within six months as required by law while preparing the ground for a candidate who could sustain the riding’s representation in the provincial legislature. This sequence is widely chronicled in reporting on Laforest’s decision to pursue Saguenay municipal leadership. (montreal.citynews.ca)

  • Date announcement and key dates On January 20, 2026, Élections Québec and the Premier’s office announced Chicoutimi by-election 2026 for February 23, along with a structured timetable for nominations, elector-list updates, and voting. The release also outlined the window for advertising restrictions and the availability of advance polls, providing a framework for campaign planning and voter participation. (quebec.ca)

  • Candidate field and process By February 7, seven candidacies had been authorized, signaling a robust race with multiple parties represented. The Elections Québec release confirms the seven candidacies and directs readers to the official list for specifics. Media reporting around the period highlighted several prominent entrants, including a CAQ candidate whose identity had been widely anticipated, as well as candidates from the PQ, QS, and other parties. The final slate and candidate details were updated in subsequent official releases. (electionsquebec.qc.ca)

  • Campaign logistics and electorate engagement The by-election process includes a nomination period, a list-ensuring phase for electors, and multiple voting opportunities (regular, advance, and in-office voting). These logistics affect how campaigns structure outreach, debates, and issue framing in Chicoutimi by-election 2026. Electors are urged to verify their electoral status and be mindful of the various voting windows to ensure their participation. (quebec.ca)

Section 2: Why It Matters The Chicoutimi by-election 2026 carries implications for provincial politics in Quebec, particularly in a region where voting patterns have shown varying degrees of support for different parties. The by-election is more than a local contest; it is a pulse point for attitudes toward governance, regional priorities, and the broader political landscape ahead of the province’s next general election.

  • Regional political dynamics Chicoutimi sits within Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, a region with a distinct political profile compared to Montreal or the Quebec City corridor. In 2022, Laforest won Chicoutimi with a substantial margin, reinforcing the riding’s alignment with CAQ at that time. The by-election offers a concrete test of whether the CAQ’s provincial program resonates in this region amid broader political currents. (lereveil.com)

  • Implications for party balance and messaging The field includes major parties (CAQ, PQ, QS) along with other participants such as Climat Québec and the Conservative Party of Quebec. Analysts and party observers are watching whether the PQ or QS gains momentum in a by-election setting, where turnout dynamics often favor mobilized base voters. Media coverage during the campaign highlighted the PQ’s potential to gain ground in Chicoutimi, reflecting a dynamic that could inform broader provincial strategies. (lereveil.com)

  • Voter engagement and turnout considerations By-elections historically attract lower turnout than general elections, and Chicoutimi’s past by-election turnout (41.10% in 2016) provides a baseline for expectations. Campaigns may emphasize targeted outreach in local neighborhoods andhsacultural centers to bolster participation, while analysts assess whether the by-election serves as a bellwether for party support heading into a fall 2026 or fall-2027 electoral cycle. (quebec.ca)

  • Issues and issue salience in the campaign Local issues, including infrastructure projects, health care, and public services, are shaping candidate platforms. Reports from the campaign period note specific policy emphases, such as hospital infrastructure and regional development priorities, which are particularly salient in Chicoutimi. The presence of candidates focusing on health and regional development underscores the riding’s policy priorities and how they intersect with provincial concerns. (lereveil.com)

  • Broader political context While this by-election is a provincial race, its outcomes may be interpreted as a barometer of the governing party’s popularity and the opposition parties’ organizational strength. In Quebec politics, by-elections can reveal shifts in regional sentiment that precede general elections, making Chicoutimi by-election 2026 a potential predictor for subsequent provincial dynamics. Coverage from multiple outlets during the campaign period highlighted the potential strategic implications for parties as they calibrate messaging across the province. (lereveil.com)

Section 3: What’s Next As Chicoutimi by-election 2026 approaches, readers should monitor the official process, candidate declarations, and the evolving dynamics that will shape the campaign’s momentum and the eventual result.

  • Timeline and next steps The nomination window closed on February 7, 2026, and seven candidacies were officially authorized. The elector list is set to be finalized by February 19, with advanced polls on February 15–16 and regular voting on February 23. The cadence of events—nomination validation, candidate debates, and issue-focused outreach—will determine the pace of the campaign and the degree of public engagement. For the latest official updates on candidate listings and election logistics, refer to Élections Québec’s announcements. (electionsquebec.qc.ca)

  • What to watch for in the race On the CAQ side, a named candidate (Francis Tremblay, as reported by multiple outlets during the buildup) faces competition from PQ, QS, and other party entrants. Media analysis during the period emphasized the PQ’s potential to perform well in Chicoutimi, a dynamic that could influence provincial messaging and coalition-building strategies. Voter turnout will be a key variable; lower turnout tends to advantage well-organized party machinery, while higher engagement can shift the outcome. Observers will also watch how regional issues—like health infrastructure and municipal collaboration—are reflected in candidate platforms and public discourse. (lereveil.com)

  • Next updates and how to stay informed Montréal Times and other reputable outlets will provide ongoing coverage of Chicoutimi by-election 2026 results and post-election analysis. Readers can track official results and statistics through Élections Québec’s results portal, which provides live-by-election results and post-election analyses. For those seeking real-time updates, official election communications and local reporting will be the most reliable sources. (electionsquebec.qc.ca)

Closing Chicoutimi by-election 2026 represents a focused, data-driven test of provincial political dynamics in a key Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean riding. The vacancy created by Andrée Laforest’s resignation in September 2025 set the stage for a tightly scheduled campaign that will culminate on February 23, 2026. As candidates present their platforms and voters head to the polls, the race will reveal how regional concerns interact with provincial priorities and how parties calibrate their strategies in a competitive rural-urban mix. Stay tuned to Elections Québec and Montréal Times for ongoing coverage, including candidate profiles, issue-focused reporting, and final results on election day.

To stay updated, follow Elections Québec’s official notices, review the list of authorized candidates, and watch for post-election analysis from major outlets. The Chicoutimi by-election 2026 will be a telling moment for voters and policymakers alike as Quebec moves toward its next general electoral cycle.