Latest news with #PartiQuebecois
CTV News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
PQ leader welcomes Maxime Bernier's support for a third referendum
PQ candidate Alex Boissonneault, right, and Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of the Parti Québécois, speak to media at an election party during a by-election in Quebec's Arthabaska riding, in Victoriaville, Que., on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press) Paul St-Pierre Plamondon finds it 'quite interesting' that People's Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier has said he would support a possible referendum on Quebec sovereignty. He even praised the right-wing politician's 'consistency' and reiterated that 'it will take everyone' to achieve independence. 'We're going to take all our allies, even those who are quite far from my convictions (...) Just because I don't have the same ideas as Maxime Bernier doesn't mean we're going to start pointing fingers at each other; on the contrary,' said the PQ leader in a news scrum on Monday after his candidate Alex Boissonneault won the by-election in Arthabaska. In an email sent to PPC members on Sunday evening, Bernier indicated that he intends to support the YES camp in a possible referendum on Quebec sovereignty or in Alberta to 'break the stranglehold of imperial federalism and pave the way for a final attempt to rebalance our federation.' 'We'll tell him it makes sense,' said St-Pierre Plamondon. 'He really wants, in a libertarian approach that is not at all mine, that there be no more government, or as little as possible. And he says: if I am consistent with myself, then I will get rid of the level where there is the most waste. It's a consistency that we don't see in some other conservatives and that has merit.' 'Education' on independence On Monday, St-Pierre Plamondon admitted that voters in Arthabaska did not seem to be the most interested in the issue of independence. 'I won't hide from you that this byelection was more about choosing a member of parliament and the quality of representation,' he said. Despite everything, the PQ leader is maintaining his commitment to hold a third referendum on Quebec sovereignty during his first term. Freshly elected, new PQ member Boissonneault affirmed the importance of educating people about independence. 'Our party has always been committed to holding a consultation by 2030, and that hasn't changed. The question is how we are going to talk about it and how we are going to address these issues,' he said Monday evening after his victory. 'Breaking up the country' Bernier's party says, however, that it does not share 'the ultimate goal of the separatist movements in Quebec and Alberta to break up the country,' but that 'their demands are legitimate." 'Given the constant trend toward greater centralization, the only way to bring about meaningful change under the current government may be to take advantage of the constitutional crisis that would follow a majority vote in favor of secession in a provincial referendum,' the CPC website states. Bernier, who voted YES in the 1995 referendum, slammed the door on the Conservative Party of Canada after losing the leadership race to Andrew Scheer. Maxime Bernier People's Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier, centre, handshakes with a man as protesters against COVID-19 restrictions march through the streets of Montreal on Saturday, February 12, 2022. (Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press) In 2018, he founded the PPC, a political party on the federal scene that is further to the right than his former party. Since then, Bernier has never been re-elected. In the last federal election, his party won only 0.7 per cent of the vote. The CPC proposes to impose 'a moratorium on new permanent residents for as many years as necessary, until the housing crisis has been resolved, the negative economic impact of mass immigration has been neutralized, and the process of social and cultural disintegration due to mass immigration has been reversed.' He also wants to repeal the Multiculturalism Act and 'focus on integrating immigrants into Canadian society.' On the environment, Bernier wants to withdraw Canada from the Paris Agreement and abolish 'the taxes, regulations, subsidies, and programs adopted by the Liberal government to combat so-called climate change.' He also wants to create a ministry dedicated to reducing the size of government 'that will systematically review all programs with the goal of abolishing ideologically driven programs that promote wokeness, programs whose primary purpose is to buy votes, obsolete and ineffective programs that no longer serve a clear purpose, etc.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 12, 2025.
CTV News
18 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
3 for 3: PQ the ‘number one political force in Quebec,' says political analyst
Analyst Raphaël Melançon says the Arthabaska byelection result is 'a very important victory' for the PQ, which he says is the leading political force in Quebec. With Alex Boissonneault's win in Arthabaska and a third byelection win in a row, the Parti Québécois (PQ) confirmed 'its position as the number one political force in Quebec,' according to political analyst Raphaël Melançon. 'The timing of it is perfect for the PQ because it's going to bring them even more momentum than they have at the moment in the polls,' Melançon added. 'It could reinforce their support and crystallize their support in the minds of a lot of Quebec voters at the moment.' Play 'Extremely happy with this victory': PQ MNA reacts after Arthabaska byelection PQ MNA Pascal Paradis reacts to his party defeating the CAQ Monday in the Arthabaska byelection, after candidate Alex Boissonneault won the most votes. Three for four for the PQ Here is a breakdown of the four byelections since the 2022 provincial election that saw the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) cruise to a massive majority government. 2018 2022 2025 PQ 9.4% 10% 46.29% Conservative 2.3% 24.69% 35.13% Liberal 11.35% 3.7% 9.28% CAQ 61.84% 51.75% 7.2% QS 12.58% 9.22% 1.47% Alex Boissonneault wins in Arthabaska PQ candidate Alex Boissonneault, centre left, celebrates at an election party during a by-election in Quebec's Arthabaska riding, in Victoriaville, Que., on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press) 2018 2022 2025 PQ 29.49% 18.88% 52.74% CAQ 42.97% 49.44% 28.78% Liberal 12.12% 10.17% 8.15% QS 12.86% 12.65% 4.55% Conservative 0.7% 7.94% 3.73% Catherine Gentilcore Parti Quebecois (PQ) candidate Catherine Gentilcore, second left, and party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon celebrate after winning the byelection in Terrebonne, Que., Monday, March 17, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press) 2018 2019 (B) 2022 2023 PQ 14.46% 9.32% 18.69% 44.06% CAQ 9.7% 43.38% 32.5% 21.33% QS 19.18% 16.95% 23.76% 17.5% Liberal 32.58% 25.03% 13.51% 8.85% Conservative 1.82% 1.02% 10.36% 6.07% Pascal Paradis, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon Parti Quebecois candidate Pascal Paradis, left, raises his hands with PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon as he arrives to speak to supporters after being announced the winner in the Jean-Talon byelection, in Quebec City, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press) 2018 2022 2023 QS 23.83% 27.72% 44.50% Liberal 38.06% 36.15% 28.96% PQ 11.47% 8.27% 11.41% CAQ 18.68% 17.73% 9.36% Conservative 1.22% 6.36% 2.69% Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, Manon Masse Quebec Solidaire's Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, centre, celebrates his byelection victory with party co-spokespeople Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois and Manon Masse in Montreal, Monday, March 13, 2023. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) PQ surging, CAQ floundering With distant second-place finishes in Jean-Talon and Terrebonne and a crushing fourth-place finish in Arthabaska, the ruling CAQ government of François Legault now has three conclusive defeats in a row. 'At seven per cent, two points behind the Liberals, which don't stand any chance to win in this riding, really, it's a slap in the face for Francois Legault,' said Melançon. In all four byelections since the 2022 general, the PQ has outperformed the CAQ. In Arthabaska, Melançon pointed out that former CAQ party whip Éric Lefebvre won in 2022 with over 50 per cent of the vote (51.75), won in 2018 with over 60 (61.84) and won in 2016 by over 40 (43.96) in a byelection after the death of late former MNA Sylvie Roy. Roy won in 2012 (42.42 per cent) and 2014 (45.49). 'It's a harsh judgment from voters in Arthabaska regarding the situation of the CAQ government at the moment,' said Melançon. 'It's sending a strong message also to the governing party regarding maybe the leadership of François Legault.' Brasseur and Legault Keven Brasseur of the Coalition Avenir Québec gives remarks alongside Premier Francois Legault, at an election event in Victoriaville, Que., on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press) No seat for Duhaime Legault's future is not the only one that is less than solid, as Conservative Party of Quebec leader Éric Duhaime failed to win a seat in a riding that was predicted to be much closer than it actually was. With a 10-point loss in Arthabaska, Duhaime will not find himself among the MNAs in the Quebec legislature after he lost in the Chauveau riding in the 2022 general election by 15 points to CAQ MNA Sylvain Lévesque. 'Internally, certainly, questions will be raised within his own ranks, within his own party, as to if he is the leader to continue to lead that party into the next general election because if you can't win an Arthabaska tonight, especially with the polls that were suggesting that the race was so tight between the PQ and the Conservatives, and if you lose in the end by 10 points to the PQ, certainly it's a major disappointment for the provincial Conservatives tonight, and it certainly is going to raise questions internally regarding the leadership of Éric Duhaime overall,' said Melançon.
CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
'A slap in the face for François Legault` after Arthabaska byelection loss
Montreal Watch Analyst Raphaël Melançon says the Arthabaska byelection result is 'a very important victory' for the PQ, which he says is the leading political force in Quebec.
CBC
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Arthabaska voters head to polls in Quebec byelection seen as key test for front-runners
Experts are hesitant to guess who will win Monday's provincial byelection in Quebec's Arthabaska, as there's little doubt it will come down to the wire while the Legault administration's popularity wanes in the polls. But some residents are ready to cast their vote, and their minds are made up. "I think he knows what to do with our money," said 18-year-old Mélodie Turgeon of Conservative Party of Quebec Leader Éric Duhaime. "He wants to reduce taxes a bit." But as much as Duhaime would like a seat in the National Assembly, the latest polls show him neck-and-neck with Parti Québécois (PQ) candidate Alex Boissonneault. Daniel Béland, director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, said there is a lot at stake for both parties. "The Quebec Conservatives need a seat to be taken seriously ahead of the next provincial election," he said. "For the PQ, it's important ... they are ahead in the polls across the province and this is not a riding they won in the last couple of decades." CAQ seat up for grabs While the riding has been Liberal in the past, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) has held it since 2016 when Eric Lefebvre was elected. He resigned in April to run federally. While many eyes are on the race between the Conservatives and the PQ, experts say the CAQ and Liberals can't be ruled out. The CAQ is running Keven Brasseur and Chantale Marchand is with the Liberals. "Right now, the CAQ is hoping to do better than previous byelections," said Sébastien Dallaire, an executive vice-president with the polling firm Leger. "Obviously, a win would be very surprising, but how will the other parties stand? How strong will the Liberals be? They usually do pretty well, but they've been absent for many years." WATCH | Voters get ready to cast ballots in Arthabaska: Arthabaska byelection puts Quebec parties to the test 11 hours ago In 2023, Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne's byelection was won by Québec Solidaire's Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, who took the seat after former Liberal leader Dominique Anglade resigned. Also in 2023, CAQ MNA Joëlle Boutin stepped down in the Quebec City riding of Jean-Talon and PQ candidate Pascal Paradis won her seat. Earlier this year, in March, PQ's Catherine Gentilcore took Terrebonne from the CAQ. In Arthabaska, Pascale Fortin is running for Québec Solidaire, along with several independents and smaller party candidates. Voters mull several choices There are many choices, and voter Marcel Madore said he's not sure what to expect, but it's clear some are unhappy with the CAQ. Voter Daniel Lussier said he doesn't understand their decisions. "They're cutting over $500 million in education, then they're putting it back. Is this just improv they're doing?" he asked. The riding was easily won by Lefebvre in October 2022, when he captured 51.75 per cent of votes, finishing more than 12,000 ahead of his closest rival. This time around, there are concerns a summer byelection could reduce voter turnout. But already, 26 per cent have participated in advance polling, according to Élections Québec. Béland said that level of advance participation is "quite high," but noted it's also a riding that usually sees strong turnout. The CAQ may be hoping that losing a mid-summer byelection will go largely unnoticed outside the riding, Dallaire said. "Byelections always take on a life of their own," he said. "They tend to reflect the mood of voters at a very precise point in time. It's a chance to either send a message to the governing party or to really vote according to very local dynamics." Outside of a general election, he said voters tend to focus on local issues or, in this case, on the main candidates. Still, he said, it's one to watch ahead of the next general election in 2026. "It will be an important test of where the different parties currently stand," Dallaire said. Béland said it will likely come down to that two-way race between the Conservatives and PQ, but noted the Conservatives finished second to the CAQ last election. "I think the Conservatives would love to win this, but the PQ is strong as well in that riding," he said. Like Dallaire, Béland said it will be interesting to gauge support for the other parties. Both the Liberals and PQ are polling well among francophone voters, he said. Lefebvre also left to run federally for the Conservatives in Richmond-Arthabaska, he added.
CBC
16-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Quebec adds $540M to education budget after facing criticism from school boards, staff
The Quebec government is adding hundreds of millions of dollars to the education budget for the upcoming school year after coming under fire for announcing cuts that would have amounted to $570 million less in funding. The sum of money announced on Wednesday amounts to $540 million. When announcing the budgetary restrictions last month, Education Minister Bernard Drainville said it was up to school service centres and school boards to respect the budgets they were given. Since then, teachers, parents, unions, school staff and school boards have heavily criticized those budgetary restrictions, arguing that student success and services would be affected. Across the province, there were protests and news conferences to draw attention to their concerns. A petition launched on the National Assembly website to oppose these budget cuts, sponsored by Parti Québécois (PQ) MNA Pascal Bérubé, has already gathered over 157,000 signatures. In a statement on Wednesday, Drainville said the government had listened to people's concerns and was taking action for students. But the funding comes with conditions. "All the money invested must be used for direct student services, not for anything else. Let's be clear: this is not an open bar," read Drainville's statement. "Of the $540 million announced today, $425 million will be paid into a dedicated envelope. To qualify, each [service centre] will have to demonstrate that it has made efforts to reduce its administrative expenses."
