Focus shifts to Arthabaska-L'Érable region
In the recently concluded Arthabaska-L'Érable by-election in Quebec, the Parti Québécois (PQ) candidate, Alex Boissonneault, emerged victorious with over 46% of the vote. This marks the first PQ win in this traditionally conservative riding since 1998, signifying a resurgence of the PQ amid declining popularity of François Legault's governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ).
The by-election, held on August 11, 2022, was closely watched due to the two-candidate race between Boissonneault and Conservative Party leader Éric Duhaime. The riding's past federal election results favored the Conservative Party, making the PQ win notable in this semi-rural context.
The political landscape in Quebec played a significant role in the by-election, with increased enthusiasm for Quebec sovereignty and dissatisfaction with Legault's government. Arthabaska-L'Érable, while historically conservative, had become more competitive due to these changes.
The decision to hold the by-election in the summer, a period often seen as disadvantageous for voter turnout, drew criticism. However, nearly 15,000 people participated in the advance poll, representing 26% of the electors, which was double that of the last by-election in Terrebonne.
CAQ candidate Keven Brasseur, who asserts that he is a candidate embodying renewal and would be the youngest active MP in Quebec if elected, denies the narrative that the Prime Minister triggered the by-election in the middle of summer to limit participation. He maintains that he is a democrat above all and wants people to participate.
Meanwhile, Boissonneault, who is predicted to have a "very high turnout" according to internal PQ polls, framed the by-election as a chance for change and renewal against an unpopular government.
The Qc125 analysis site predicts a practically equal result between the Quebec Liberal Party and the Conservative Party in the by-election, with each candidate obtaining 37% of the votes. Keven Brasseur is predicted to obtain 9% of the votes, while PQ candidate Pascale Fortin is predicted to finish last among the major parties with 6% of the votes.
Éric Duhaime, who has promised a decade of public service and intends to run in the 2026 general elections, regardless of the outcome on Monday, believes François Legault, the premier, has missed his bet by launching the by-election in the summer.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of the Parti Québécois, thinks Alex Boissonneault has the makings of a minister. Keven Brasseur, on the other hand, claims that the context is different now than at the end of June and that he is meeting many undecided voters who consider the CAQ as an option.
In conclusion, the Arthabaska-L'Érable by-election has proven to be a significant event in Quebec politics, with the PQ securing a victory in a traditionally conservative riding. The results reflect shifting political dynamics and dissatisfaction with the current government, setting a potential trend for future elections.
The victory of Alex Boissonneault in the Arthabaska-L'Érable by-election, held in a traditionally conservative riding, highlights a resurgence of the Parti Québécois (PQ) in Quebec politics, making a notable impact on the political landscape. The PQ's win was significantly influenced by increased enthusiasm for Quebec sovereignty and dissatisfaction with François Legault's governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ).
The results of the by-election, including the predicted nearly equal results between the Quebec Liberal Party and the Conservative Party, indicate potentially shifting political dynamics and dissatisfaction with the current government, setting a potential trend for future elections in Quebec.
