Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, the leader of Quebec’s opposition, announced on Wednesday that he has rejected Vincent Marissal’s bid to run in the Taschereau riding. The decision was presented as a response to what Plamondon described as a breach of the ethics code that governs members of the National Assembly of Quebec.
The announcement came at 14:47 Eastern time on August 26, 2026, just one day before the province’s scheduled election. By refusing Marissal’s candidacy, Plamondon altered the lineup of candidates that will appear on the ballot in the Taschereau district of Quebec City.
According to the statement, the alleged violation relates to the code of conduct that applies to all elected officials in the National Assembly. While specific details of the breach were not disclosed, the reference to the ethics code indicates that the party leadership deemed the alleged conduct incompatible with the standards expected of a candidate.
The timing of the move, on the eve of the provincial election, means that the Taschereau riding will see a revised slate of contenders. Voters in the district, which is part of Quebec City, will now be presented with a different set of options than those originally projected.
Vincent Marissal, a sitting member of the National Assembly, had been slated to run under Plamondon’s banner in the upcoming contest. The rejection of his candidacy underscores the importance placed by the party on adherence to ethical guidelines for its representatives.
The decision adds a new dynamic to the final stages of the campaign, as parties finalize their candidate lists ahead of the vote. Election officials will adjust the ballot accordingly, and the Taschereau electorate will receive updated information on who is standing for election in their riding.