François Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec wins another majority government | Canadian

François Legault‘s Coalition Avenir Québec will form the next government in Quebec after cruising to a commanding majority for a second time.

Global News projected the victory Monday night after a five-week election campaign that saw party leaders crisscross the province in hopes of appealing to voters and their base of supporters.

Legault, the incumbent premier and leader of the CAQ, was well ahead in the polls for most of the campaign ⁠— with other major parties at a distant second. Support for the party barely budged despite Legault having faced a tough sprint, including being roundly criticized for his comments on immigration.

The CAQ made history in 2018 after becoming the first new party to take power in the province since 1976, ousting the Liberals in a stunning defeat. At the time, Legault offered up an alternative to Quebec’s longstanding two-party rule, which pitted federalist against sovereigntist leanings for almost 50 years.

In this campaign, Legault was seeking a second mandate as premier ⁠— and promised continuity rather than change in the province. In two party leader debates, his rivals challenged him on his government’s handling of climate change, the rising costs of living and the COVID-19 pandemic.

As leader, he pledged to cut income taxes as well as issue cheques to Quebecers to combat rising inflation, maintain immigration levels and boost benefits for seniors.

When the provincial legislature broke for the summer, Legault’s party had 76 seats out of 125. The Quebec Liberals had 27, Québec solidaire had 10 and the Parti Québécois had seven. The Conservative Party of Quebec held one seat while Independents accounted for four.

More coming.

⁠— with files from The Canadian Press

2:41
Quebec election: Battle for second place as Legault leads polls

Previous Video

Next Video