Article content

MONTREAL — A new poll suggests the arrival of anti-corruption crusader Jacques Duchesneau as a candidate for the Coalition Avenir Québec has given the party a major boost in voter support.

The Forum Poll conducted Monday for the National Post shows the Parti Québécois still ahead, but François Legault’s CAQ has gained 10 percentage points since the election was called last week. The CAQ dominated the early campaign with news that Mr. Duchesneau, who until last fall was head of a government anti-collusion task force, would run for the party.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or CAQ support surging as Quebec Liberals, PQ slide: Poll Back to video

The PQ under Pauline Marois stands at 34%, down from 39% when the election was called on Aug. 1. Jean Charest’s incumbent Liberals are second at 32%, down from 38%. The CAQ jumped to 24% from 14%. Québec Solidaire gained two points to 6% while the Greens remained constant at 3%.

[np-related]

“It’s clear that François Legault has changed the game with his wooing of Jacques Duchesneau, and for him to have made this much progress in a week speaks well for his prospects in a four-week-campaign,” Lorne Bozinoff, president of Forum Research, said in a statement.