Montreal is at the centre of Canadian political activity this week, with Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal Liberal Party holding their policy convention in the city. The gathering comes shortly after the Liberals secured a federal election victory, with Carney riding notably high approval ratings in Quebec — a province that has historically been challenging territory for the Liberal Party of Canada.
Carney's popularity in Quebec has been a notable feature of the current political landscape. Analysts have pointed to his handling of Canada-U.S. trade tensions, particularly in response to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, as a key driver of his strong standing in the province. His positioning as a steady economic hand during a period of uncertainty appears to have resonated with Quebec voters.
Simultaneously, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) is undergoing a leadership transition. The party, which governed Quebec under François Legault, is in the process of selecting a new leader following Legault's resignation. The leadership result was expected to be announced in the Montreal area around this time, marking a significant moment for the provincial party as it looks to rebuild and redefine its direction.
The convergence of federal Liberal momentum and provincial CAQ renewal makes Montreal a focal point of Canadian politics this week. How the new CAQ leader positions the party relative to Ottawa — and to a federal government that appears to have made inroads with Quebec voters — will be closely watched by political observers across the country.
