Quebec City Daily Roundup: Monday, February 23, 2026

Good morning, Quebec City. Here’s what’s making headlines across the region today.

Parti Québécois Eyes Fourth Consecutive Byelection Victory in Chicoutimi

Voters in the Chicoutimi riding are heading to the polls today in a closely watched provincial byelection that could extend the Parti Québécois’s winning streak to four consecutive victories. Polling stations opened at 9:30 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m. this evening.

The seat, located north of Quebec City, has been vacant since September when former Coalition Avenir Québec cabinet minister Andrée Laforest departed provincial politics. Laforest had represented the riding for the CAQ, making today’s race a critical test of the current political winds ahead of the fall provincial election.

Marie-Karlynn Laflamme is carrying the PQ banner in the contest, while Francis Tremblay represents the governing CAQ. Additional candidates are running for the Quebec Conservative Party, Québec solidaire, and the Quebec Liberal Party, making it a five-way race.

The PQ enters the race with considerable momentum. Recent provincial polls show the party riding high across Quebec, with leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon capturing significant public attention. The sovereigntist party leader has pledged to hold a referendum on Quebec independence by 2030 if elected premier in the fall election.

Early voting numbers suggest strong engagement from local residents. Advance polls saw 11.67 percent of eligible voters already casting their ballots before today’s main voting day, indicating heightened interest in the outcome.

The byelection results will provide important insights into voter sentiment just months before Quebecers head to the polls for a general election. A PQ victory would further solidify the party’s resurgence and potentially add pressure on Premier François Legault’s CAQ government.

Results are expected to begin rolling in after polls close at 8 p.m. tonight.

Tax Filing Season Opens Across Quebec

Monday marks the official start of tax season, with Quebecers now able to file their 2025 income tax and benefit returns through online platforms. Revenue agencies at both the provincial and federal levels have activated their electronic filing systems for the new season.

Last year’s statistics demonstrate the overwhelming preference for digital filing among Quebec residents. More than 6.3 million people in the province filed their returns online in the previous tax year, representing an impressive 92 percent of all filers.

The shift toward electronic filing reflects broader trends in digital service delivery and offers several advantages for taxpayers. Online filing typically results in faster processing times, quicker refunds, and immediate confirmation that returns have been received by tax authorities.

Tax experts recommend filing as early as possible, particularly for those expecting refunds. Early filers can typically receive their refunds within two weeks when filing electronically and choosing direct deposit.

For the 2025 tax year, several important deadlines apply. Most individual taxpayers must file by April 30, 2026. Self-employed individuals and their spouses have until June 15, 2026, to file, though any balance owing must still be paid by April 30 to avoid interest charges.

Various free and commercial software options are available to help taxpayers prepare their returns. The Canada Revenue Agency also offers a free service called NETFILE-certified software for simple returns.

First Nations Assert Sovereignty in Constitutional Discussions

Representatives from the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke met with Quebec government officials in Quebec City to address the province’s proposed constitutional framework. The discussions centered on fundamental questions of governance, jurisdiction, and the relationship between First Nations and the provincial government.

The MCK delegation emphasized a clear position: First Nations governance and jurisdiction cannot be unilaterally rewritten or constrained by provincial constitutional authority. The meeting highlighted ongoing tensions around questions of sovereignty and self-determination.

Council representatives reiterated that any future Quebec constitution must formally recognize First Nations sovereignty and existing rights. They also stressed the importance of honoring commitments made in the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between Kahnawà:ke and the Quebec government last winter.

The discussions reflect broader constitutional questions that have long been part of Quebec’s political landscape. As the province contemplates its own constitutional future, including potential sovereignty, First Nations communities are asserting their own inherent rights and jurisdictional authority.

The Kahnawà:ke Mohawk territory, located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River near Montreal, has consistently maintained its distinct political status and governance structures. The community operates its own police force, administers its own programs, and exercises jurisdiction over internal affairs.

These constitutional discussions come at a time when First Nations across Quebec are increasingly asserting their rights and seeking greater recognition of their sovereignty. Recent years have seen growing collaboration between Quebec and Indigenous communities on various fronts, but fundamental questions about jurisdiction and authority remain subjects of ongoing negotiation.

The MCK has indicated it will continue to engage with provincial officials while maintaining its principled stance on sovereignty and self-determination. Further meetings are expected as constitutional discussions continue.

Looking Ahead

Today’s byelection results in Chicoutimi will dominate tonight’s political coverage, potentially reshaping the narrative heading into the fall general election. The outcome could have significant implications for campaign strategies and messaging across all parties.

For taxpayers across the region, the opening of tax season signals the annual ritual of gathering documents, calculating deductions, and meeting filing deadlines. With the April 30 deadline just over two months away, financial advisors recommend starting the process sooner rather than later.

The constitutional discussions between Quebec and First Nations communities will continue to unfold in the coming months, touching on fundamental questions that have shaped Canadian politics for generations.

Stay tuned to Quebec Bureau for continued coverage of these developing stories throughout the day and week ahead.

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