TL;DR
- Festival d’été de Québec (July 9–19) unveiled a star-heavy 2026 lineup on March 11, with major international names alongside Quebec artists. (ca.billboard.com)
- Quebec will raise the general minimum wage to $16.60/hour on May 1, 2026. (quebec.ca)
- Quebec’s 2026–2027 provincial budget arrives Wednesday, March 18; Finance Minister Eric Girard calls it “sober and targeted.” (ca.news.yahoo.com)
- CAQ leadership race: the voter‑eligibility membership cutoff passed Friday, March 13; official debates are March 21 (Quebec City) and March 28 (Laval); voting runs April 7–12. (coalitionavenirquebec.org)
- Quebec City tramway: Mayor Bruno Marchand says he’s pressed Ottawa to secure a 40% federal share as project work ramps up. (tvanouvelles.ca)
FEQ 2026 lineup revealed: international headliners and Quebec talent
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- On March 11, Festival d’été de Québec announced headliners including Michael Bublé, Muse, Gwen Stefani, Kesha, The Lumineers, Jelly Roll and Limp Bizkit; Quebec acts highlighted in coverage include Patrick Watson and Souldia. Festival runs July 9–19. (ca.billboard.com)
- Important context and background information
- FEQ is one of Canada’s largest music festivals; lineup drops typically trigger immediate ticket demand and hotel pressure in Quebec City. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Recent developments or changes
- Announcement confirms earlier teasers; expect daily‑program details and on‑site logistics to follow in spring. (feq.ca)
Quebec minimum wage to rise May 1, 2026
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- The general minimum wage increases by $0.50 to $16.60/hour on May 1, 2026 (tipped wage adjusted accordingly). (quebec.ca)
- Important context and background information
- The government frames the hike as aligned with average‑wage growth; additional technical details are set out in the regulatory notice. (cdn-contenu.quebec.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- Employer and payroll advisors have begun circulating implementation notes ahead of the effective date. (news.bloomberglaw.com)
Quebec budget lands March 18: “sober and targeted,” says Girard
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- Finance Minister Eric Girard will table the 2026–2027 budget on Wednesday, March 18, describing it as “sober and targeted.” (ca.news.yahoo.com)
- Important context and background information
- The budget arrives seven months before the October 2026 provincial election and shortly before the CAQ chooses a new leader in April. (ca.news.yahoo.com)
- Recent developments or changes
- Expect focus on affordability, health, and infrastructure; media lock‑up and disclosure logistics are in place for budget day. (ca.news.yahoo.com)
CAQ leadership: membership cutoff passed; debates and vote set
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- The deadline to become a voting member (March 13) has passed. Official debates are March 21 (Quebec City) and March 28 (Laval); the new leader will be chosen by ranked phone vote April 7–12, with the convention April 12. (coalitionavenirquebec.org)
- Important context and background information
- The race follows Premier François Legault’s resignation announcement; candidates had to meet stringent signature and endorsement thresholds. (montreal.citynews.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- With the voter list now fixed, campaigns pivot to debate prep and GOTV for the April balloting window. (coalitionavenirquebec.org)
Quebec City tramway: push on for federal share
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- Mayor Bruno Marchand said he recently contacted the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure Ottawa’s 40% share is secured for the tramway (roughly $4B on a ~$7.6B budget). (tvanouvelles.ca)
- Important context and background information
- Quebec and the city have maintained the project will proceed; federal participation remains a key piece of the capital stack. (qub.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- As 2026 construction activity intensifies, financing clarity will shape contract timelines and scope. (qub.ca)