Latest news with #CoalitionAvenirQuebec
CTV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Advance voting a popular choice in Arthabaska byelection
Despite the summer season, advance voting was a popular choice in Quebec's Arthabaska byelection. The turnout was around 26 per cent, double that of the previous byelection in the riding of Terrebonne. Nearly 15,000 voters turned out at the polls during the two days of advance voting on Sunday and Monday. 'This is a high turnout,' confirmed Elections Quebec Spokesperson Julie St-Arnaud-Drolet, adding that it is not an unusual trend in the riding. 'In the provincial election on Oct. 3, 2022, voter turnout was 74 per cent in the Arthabaska riding. Across Quebec, it was 66 per cent.' There were a few delays at some polling stations, particularly on Sunday, according to Elections Quebec. 'The misconception that it is faster to vote in advance persists from election to election. However, according to the Election Act, election day is the day when we can accommodate the largest number of voters,' said St-Arnaud-Drolet. 'For this byelection, seven advance polling stations were open, while there will be 28 polling stations on election day.' She adds that advance voting is gaining popularity and, as such, the Election Act should be amended accordingly. The byelection in Arthabaska was triggered by the departure of Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) MNA Eric Lefebvre, who moved to federal politics with Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives. The main candidates to replace him are Keven Brasseur (CAQ), Chantale Marchand (Quebec Liberals), Alex Boissonneault (Parti Québécois), Pascale Fortin (Québec Soldaire) and Éric Duhaime (Quebec Conservatives). According to poll aggregator QC125, the byelection, on Monday, Aug. 11, is expected to be a close race between the Parti Québécois and the Quebec Conservatives. – This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 5, 2024.
CBC
03-08-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Advance voting underway in provincial byelection in Arthabaska
Electors in the provincial riding of Arthabaska are taking part in advance polling starting today ahead of a byelection on Aug. 11. Voters will be able to cast a ballot today and Monday and will have at least 10 candidates from which to chose in the hotly contested riding previously held by the governing Coalition Avenir Québec. The main fight seems to pit the leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec, Eric Duhaime, and Parti Québécois candidate Alex Boissonneault. The Coalition is running Keven Brasseur in attempt to hold the riding, while the Opposition Quebec Liberals and Quebec solidaire are also running candidates. The byelection was triggered after the departure of Eric Lefebvre, who left the Quebec government to run federally and was elected in the April election as an MP for Richmond-Arthabaska with the Conservative Party of Canada. The riding was easily won by Lefebvre in October 2022, when he captured 51.75 per cent of votes, finishing more than 12,000 votes ahead of his closest rival.
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Quebec fines LaSalle College $30M for having too many students in English programs
LaSalle College has been fined $30 million by François Legault's Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government for enrolling too many students in its English-language programs over the past two academic years. The college confirmed the news on Friday morning, saying it was accused of contravening Quebec's French Language Charter, Bill 101. Its amended Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, states that the province's CEGEPs, or junior colleges, are only allowed to enroll a certain number of students in their English-language programs. In a letter sent to the college by the Quebec Higher Education Ministry, dated June 28, 2024, the school's officials were accused of surpassing their allowed limit by 716 English-speaking students for the 2023-2024 academic year. Simon Savignac, director of communications with the Higher Education Ministry, clarified to CTV News on Friday that an 'English-speaking student' in this case was any student enrolled in a program taught in English – regardless of their mother tongue or the language in which they completed their elementary or secondary education. 'The Ministry of Higher Education must recover the amount of subsidies paid in excess and collect the adjustment,' the letter states. That amount, according to the ministry, was $8,781,740. Additionally, for the 2024-2025 academic year, the school was accused of enrolling 1,066 too many English-speaking students in its English programs. For that, the school was asked to pay $21,113,864. 'Despite close monitoring and several warnings, it is important to note that LaSalle is the only subsidized private college that continues to defy the French Language Charter and fail to comply with the law,' said Savignac with the Higher Education Ministry on Friday, confirming that no other school in its category had been penalized. In a letter to Quebec Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry and French Language Minister Jean-François Roberge, dated Dec. 9, 2024, LaSalle College President Claude Marchand argued that the $30 million penalty imposed by the government threatened the school's very survival. 'In all transparency, we acknowledge that we have been unable to comply with the conditions imposed by the new legislative framework regarding quotas for English-speaking students,' he wrote. However, Marchand added that the college 'never had a real opportunity' to discuss the situation with government officials. 'These penalties will inevitably lead to our insolvency and a default on our obligations to our banking syndicate, the [Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec] CDPQ and Export Development Canada, which will recall the $150 million granted to LCI Education,' he said. Marchand also pointed to the major collateral damage the school will suffer, including abruptly interrupting the education of thousands of students, penalizing the jobs of 736 people, and hurting the college's international network. The college said it is contesting the fine in the Quebec Superior Court. LaSalle College, founded in Montreal by Jean-Paul Morin in 1959, offers more than 60 programs to students.
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Highly anticipated Quebec byelection in Arthabaska riding to be held Aug. 11
The leader of the Conservative party of Quebec, Éric Duhaime, greets his supporters during a rally in Victoriaville, Que., on Sunday, May 4, 2025. QUÉBEC — Quebec's government has announced that a hotly contested byelection northeast of Montreal will take place Aug. 11. The Arthabaska riding has been held by the Coalition Avenir Québec since 2012, but polls indicate the governing party is set to lose its stronghold to the Parti Québécois or Conservatives. Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime has put his name forward, hoping to win what would be his party's only seat in the legislature. His main opponent is former Radio-Canada journalist Alex Boissonneault with the PQ — a party on the upswing that has won the last two byelections. Poll aggregator Qc125 indicates the PQ and Conservatives are tied at 37 per cent support, with Premier François Legault's party a distant third in the riding. The CAQ's candidate is Keven Brasseur, a former president of the party's youth commission, while health-care worker Pascale Fortin is representing Québec solidaire in the byelection. The Liberals have not yet named a candidate for the riding left vacant after the CAQ's Eric Lefebvre quit provincial politics to run for the Conservatives in April's federal election. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2025. The Canadian Press
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Aluminerie Alouette confirms $1.5 billion investment in Sept-Îles
Quebec Premier Francois Legault waves to people after his speech at the Coalition Avenir Quebec youth wing congress in Levis Que. Saturday, June 7, 2025. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)
