Quebec Liberals and CAQ neck-and-neck in Brossard's La Piniere riding

With the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) surging in the polls, some ridings historically faithful to other parties -- such as La Pinière on Montreal's South Shore -- might be up for grabs.

Located in Brossard, La Pinière has been a stronghold for the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP) for years, most recently won by former health minister Gaétan Barrette.

But this could soon change, says political analyst Daniel Béland.

"Because Barrette isn't running again and the Liberals are not doing well in the polls, they have declined since 2018 in terms of their popular support," he explained. "This is a riding where the CAQ has a fair chance."

A week into the election campaign, early polls show a neck-and-neck race between the Liberals and the CAQ, well in front of other parties.

A QC125 poll reported voting projections at 35 per cent for the PLQ's Linda Caron and 34 per cent for the CAQ's Samuel Gatien. Meanwhile, projections were 13 per cent for the Quebec Conservative Party, 10 per cent for Quebec solidaire and five per cent for Parti Quebecois.

CAQ and QLP neck-and-neck in Brossard

For some voters, like Colette Beauchemin, the path forward is unclear.

"Well, I haven't decided yet," she told CTV News.

But no matter the party you side with, she said, the important thing is to exercise your right to vote.

"It's more about democracy than any particular party."

HEALTHCARE, CHILDCARE AND SENIORS

CAQ candidate and family doctor Samuel Gatien says if elected, health would be his day-one priority at the National Assembly.

Pharmacists, family doctors, social workers, psychologists," he said. "I want to make sure that we're going to have a better first line in medicine."

The QLP's Linda Caron, meanwhile, highlighted her party's vows to subsidize childcare and cut taxes for seniors.

She also hopes to improve partnerships with municipal and federal governments.

"My approach is cooperation, so that citizens get the best possible deal," she said.