Both the Coalition Avenir Québec and the Parti Québécois have turned down a request from English‑language media to take part in a debate, leaving the upcoming provincial election campaign without an English‑language forum for the parties. The decision was announced on June 23, 2026, and applies to the entire province of Quebec.
The invitation, extended to anglophone outlets as part of the planned series of debates for the forthcoming election, was meant to give voters who consume English‑language news a chance to hear the parties discuss their platforms. By refusing the offer, the two major parties have effectively removed the possibility of an English‑language debate from the campaign schedule.
Officials from the Coalition Avenir Québec and the Parti Québécois each issued statements indicating that they would not participate in a debate organized by English‑language media. No further details were provided regarding the reasons for the refusals, other than a clear indication that the parties do not intend to engage in that particular format.
The absence of an English‑language debate means that anglophone voters will need to rely on other sources, such as French‑language debates, party communications, and media coverage, to assess the positions of the CAQ and the PQ. The move also underscores the language divide that often characterizes Quebec politics, where French remains the dominant language of public discourse.
Election officials have confirmed that the overall debate schedule will continue as planned, but only in French. The decision by the CAQ and the PQ does not affect any other scheduled events, and the parties will still be present in the broader campaign activities across the province.