Quebec News | Drop for 2026-09-30

TL;DR

  • Quebec election: After the Sept 15 and Sept 23 leaders’ debates, Léger polling for TVA/Le Journal shows the PQ widening its lead and flirting with a majority; advance voting is underway this week ahead of Monday, Oct 5 polling day. (tvanouvelles.ca)
  • U.S.–Canada trade: U.S. import bans on selected Canadian goods (notably some alcohol, dairy products like whey, and certain motor‑vehicle items) took effect Sept 29; Ottawa’s counter‑tariffs (effective Sept 8) remain in force. (whitehouse.gov)
  • Quebec City tramway: the city will fully close boulevard René‑Lévesque overnight Oct 4–5 to begin excavating the downtown tunnel entrance (“trémie”). (tramcite.info)
  • CUSMA/USMCA review: the planned fourth U.S.–Mexico bilateral round in Washington was pushed back due to the Xi Jinping visit, keeping review timing fluid. (elpais.com)
  • Culture: Festival du nouveau cinéma (Oct 8–18) unveiled its 55th‑edition lineup, with Quebec and international premieres across competitions and spotlights. (nouveaucinema.ca)

Quebec election: PQ extends lead post‑debates; advance voting this week

  • Key facts and current state of the topic
    • A Léger–Le Journal–TVA survey after the Sept 15 TVA Face‑à‑Face and ahead of the Sept 23 Radio‑Canada debate shows the Parti Québécois expanding its lead; a Sept 28 update notes the PQ could reach a majority even near ~30% of the vote amid a splintered field. (tvanouvelles.ca)
  • Important context and background information
    • Elections Québec confirms advance polls ran Sept 27–28, with additional voting at returning officers’ offices Sept 25–26 and Sept 29–Oct 1; polling day is Monday, Oct 5. (electionsquebec.qc.ca)
  • Recent developments or changes
    • Debate‑night and next‑day coverage judged PQ leader Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon to have avoided major missteps while maintaining frontrunner status heading into the final stretch. (tvanouvelles.ca)

U.S. import bans take effect; Canada’s counter‑tariffs still in place

  • Key facts and current state of the topic
    • Presidential proclamations under Section 338 imposed import bans, effective 12:01 a.m. ET Sept 29, on defined lists of Canadian goods (including certain alcoholic beverages, dairy products such as whey, and motor‑vehicle‑sector items); U.S. Customs (CBP) issued implementation guidance. (whitehouse.gov)
  • Important context and background information
    • Canada’s dollar‑for‑dollar counter‑tariffs on 700+ U.S. products took effect Sept 8; Finance Canada’s “complete list” and the Sept 23 Canada Gazette order outline scope and legal basis. (canada.ca)
  • Recent developments or changes
    • Early reporting on Sept 29 noted immediate disruptions for some beverage exporters and reiterated that the bans escalate an already tense tariff standoff. (apnews.com)

Quebec City tramway: overnight closure Oct 4–5 to launch tunnel‑entrance excavation

  • Key facts and current state of the topic
    • Tramcité confirmed boulevard René‑Lévesque will be fully closed between avenue Turnbull and rue de l’Amérique‑Française the night of Oct 4–5 to start excavating the trémie (tunnel entrance), alongside ongoing underground‑network work. (tramcite.info)
  • Important context and background information
    • The government advanced tunnel‑related activities by roughly a year earlier this spring; this phase marks the first visible step toward digging the downtown segment. (tramcite.info)
  • Recent developments or changes
    • City and project channels are issuing detour and night‑work advisories as sequencing ramps up in the core. (tramcite.info)

CUSMA/USMCA review: September U.S.–Mexico round postponed

  • Key facts and current state of the topic
    • The fourth U.S.–Mexico bilateral round tied to the 2026 review, previously slated for September in Washington, was postponed due to the Xi Jinping visit and competing ministerial agendas. (elpais.com)
  • Important context and background information
    • USTR had flagged a September Washington session following earlier rounds; any slippage sustains uncertainty for Quebec‑exposed sectors (aluminum, autos/aerospace, dairy). (ustr.gov)
  • Recent developments or changes
    • With timing fluid, watch for rescheduling into October and for any spillovers from the parallel tariff dispute. (ustr.gov)

Festival du nouveau cinéma (Oct 8–18): full 2026 lineup live

  • Key facts and current state of the topic
    • The 55th Festival du nouveau cinéma released its complete 2026 program and section lineups; dates are Oct 8–18 across Montreal venues. (nouveaucinema.ca)
  • Important context and background information
    • The official site details competitions (international, national), spotlights, and tributes, with Quebec and international creators strongly represented. (nouveaucinema.ca)
  • Recent developments or changes
    • Industry notes highlight several Quebec premieres rolling from TIFF into FNC, including ONF titles set for competition. (canada.ca)