Quebec's party leaders campaigned across the province on Monday as the escalating U.S. trade war and rising cost of living dominated the election's second week.

Premier François Legault's Coalition Avenir Québec faced pressure from opposition parties over its handling of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Legault promised targeted support for manufacturers and workers affected by the measures while defending his record on affordability.

Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Québec solidaire framed the vote as a referendum on Legault's economic stewardship. Opposition figures argued the CAQ had failed to shield households from inflation and to secure protections for Quebec's aluminium and forestry exporters.

The trade war has reshaped the campaign's terms, linking provincial politics to Prime Minister Mark Carney's federal response to Washington. Analysts at Léger noted that economic anxiety and a desire for change had eroded CAQ support since its 2022 landslide, with the PQ leading in several recent surveys.

Campaign events on Monday centred on Montreal and regional manufacturing hubs, where leaders unveiled affordability pledges. The vote is expected to hinge on which party voters trust most to defend Quebec's economy against U.S. tariffs.