René Gauvreau, a former member of the Parti Québécois who served as a Member of the National Assembly, announced on August 22, 2026 that he will run as a candidate for Québec solidaire in the Montreal riding of Camille‑Laurin. The riding is currently represented by Parti Québécois leader Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon, making Gauvreau's entry a direct contest against the party's head.
Gauvreau's declaration marks a party switch after a period of service under the Parti Québécois banner. While the announcement provides no further detail on his motivations, the move places him on the ballot for Québec solidaire, the political organization he has chosen to represent in the upcoming election.
The Camille‑Laurin constituency, located in the eastern part of Montreal, has been a stronghold for the Parti Québécois under the leadership of Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon. Gauvreau's candidacy introduces a new dynamic to the race, as the former PQ legislator seeks to win the seat for a different party.
Québec solidaire, which nominated Gauvreau, will now field a candidate with prior legislative experience in a riding where the incumbent also leads his party. The competition will unfold as part of the broader provincial election campaign, with both parties aiming to secure representation in the National Assembly.
The upcoming election will determine whether Gauvreau can unseat the PQ leader in his own riding, a scenario that could have implications for the political balance in Montreal and for the Parti Québécois's leadership position. Voters in Camille‑Laurin will receive the choice between the incumbent PQ leader and the former PQ MNA now running under the Québec solidaire banner.