Drainville, Fréchette Spar Over Language, Immigration in Heated CAQ Leadership Debate

Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) leadership candidates Christine Frechette and Bernard Drainville shake hands prior to taking part in a leadership debate in Laval, Que., on March 28, 2026. The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes

The two candidates vying to replace François Legault as Coalition Avenir Québec leader and Quebec premier faced off over language and immigration in a heated final debate north of Montreal on Saturday.

Bernard Drainville and Christine Fréchette exchanged friendly greetings ahead of the start of the debate in Laval.