Poll: Health and the environment are inseparable priorities

Montréal, September 15, 2026 — As health tops the list of challenges Quebecers want the next government to address, a new Léger poll commissioned by the Vire au vert coalition reveals that, in their view, health and environmental issues are closely interconnected. With more than half (56%) of respondents identifying health as a priority, Quebecers are eager to hear concrete proposals.

From healthy food to air quality, the message is clear: health, viewed holistically, extends well beyond hospitals, and voters expect government action that protects their health on every front.

“As the leaders’ debates approach, the message is clear: people want to know how the parties plan to reduce pressure on health care services by keeping Quebecers healthy. Quebec has the highest life expectancy on the continent, and people want to know how we can build on that success.”

We know that the rising cost of living is forcing more and more people to make difficult choices at the grocery store. Yet the most popular measure in the poll is improved access to fresh, local and affordable food—supported by nearly 90% of respondents.

“Promoting fresh, sustainably produced food from Quebec is a win for everyone. It supports our farmers, reduces our dependence on American products, lowers our carbon footprint and helps keep Quebecers healthy. At a time when far too many communities still live in food deserts, this nearly unanimous level of support sends a clear message to parties seeking to form the next government: they must take this issue seriously.”

Access to better health

As heat waves become increasingly frequent, the priorities identified in the poll also highlight the importance of access to nature and bodies of water. Nearly 90% of respondents recognize the positive impact that access to nature has on health, while 75% support improving access to bodies of water to reduce the health impacts of heat waves. In addition, 81% of respondents want subsidies for energy-efficient home renovations.

“Climate change is already bringing increasingly frequent heat waves, and the most vulnerable people are often those who bear the greatest impacts. The next government must have a plan to help people cope. One of the challenges will be ensuring that these measures do not increase the cost of living for tenants and remain financially viable for homeowners.”

Finally, as a growing body of evidence establishes strong links between air pollution and numerous health problems, measures to improve air quality also receive strong support in the poll. Specifically:

• 88% of respondents believe that improving air quality can reduce cardiorespiratory health problems and lower costs for the health care system;
• changes to industrial processes and the fuels used to improve air quality receive 79% and 65% support, respectively; 
• improving public transit networks to reduce air pollution is also widely supported, with 79% approval.

Health is a broad issue, and it is essential to consider how decisions made across the entire government affect people’s health—including their potential to reduce pressure on our health care system. Prioritizing health means upholding the environmental laws and procedures that people have fought to establish. Reducing pollution means improving everyone’s health, easing the burden on hospital staff and lowering health care costs in public finances. It is a win for everyone.

Signatories:

• ^{Daniel Rotman, Équiterre}
• ^{Geneviève Paul, Centre québécois du droit de l’environnement (CQDE)}
• ^{Patricia Clermont, Association québécoise des médecins pour l’environnement (AQME)}
• ^{Martin Vaillancourt, Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l’environnement du Québec (RNCREQ)}
• ^{Nadine Viau, Front commun pour la transition énergétique (FCTÉ)}
• ^{Thibault Rehn, Vigilance OGM}
• ^{Karel Ménard, Front commun québécois pour une gestion écologique des déchets (FCQGED)}
• ^{Andréanne Brazeau, David Suzuki Foundation}
• ^{Alice-Anne Simard, Nature Québec}
• ^{André Bélanger, Fondation Rivières}
• ^{Jean-François Rheault, Vélo Québec}
• ^{Marie-Soleil Gagné, Accès transports viables}
• ^{Alain Branchaud, SNAP Québec}
• ^{Sarah-Katherine Lutz, Environnement Jeunesse}
• ^{Rébecca Pétrin, Eau Secours}
• ^{Alexandra Gilbert and Caroline Tanguay, Réseau plein air Québec}
• ^{Maggie Harvey, Trajectoire Québec}
• ^{Rodrigue Turgeon, Coalition Québec meilleure mine}
• ^{David Paradis, Co-Executive Director, Vivre en Ville}