The 2012 Quebec election marked a historic shift in provincial leadership and political landscape

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: On September 4, 2012, Quebec voters headed to the polls in a pivotal election that saw the Parti Québécois secure a minority government. This result made Pauline Marois the first woman to lead the province as Premier, while the incumbent Liberal Party fell into second place after a hard-fought campaign.

The electoral process began on August 1, 2012, when Lieutenant Governor Pierre Duchesne ended the legislative session following a formal request from Premier Jean Charest. The campaign was notable for the emergence of the Coalition Avenir Québec, a new political force led by François Legault, which successfully captured third place in the final standings. Meanwhile, the smaller party Québec solidaire managed to secure two seats within the 125-member National Assembly.

The night of the victory celebration was marred by a violent incident at the Métropolis concert hall in Montreal. During the speech delivered by the incoming Premier, an attack involving gunfire and a fire resulted in the death of a forty-year-old man. This tragic event cast a long shadow over the political transition, which saw the Parti Québécois take the reins of government for what would be their final term in power until 2026.

The election followed a period of significant political volatility in the province, characterized by numerous resignations, party defections, and the formation of new political entities. Throughout the preceding years, various members of the National Assembly left their respective caucuses to sit as independents, while others joined newly registered parties like the Coalition Avenir Québec. This environment of shifting allegiances and by-elections set the stage for the 2012 contest, which ultimately reshaped the provincial power structure and ended the long-standing tenure of the Liberal administration.

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