Quebec election: final party leaders debate

The leaders of Quebec's five main parties faced-off in the final French debate before Election Day. Tina Tenneriello reports.

By The Canadian Press, Felisha Adam, Tina Tenneriello

It was the last chance for the five main party leaders to impress the public, as they faced-off in the final French debate of Quebec’s election campaign Thursday evening.

Coalition Avenir Québec Leader François Legault faced a four-way attack on his environmental plan, with his rivals suggesting he’s going against the current on fighting climate change.

Legault, whose party has a commanding lead in the polls, seemed to focus his counterattacks on one opponent: Québec solidaire spokesman Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, whose left-wing party is looking to replace the Liberals as official Opposition. Nadeau-Dubois is currently the most popular in recent polls for official opposition leader – sitting at 30%.

The Premier said Nadeau-Dubois’s plan, taxing certain types of cars and spending billions of dollars on public transport projects, aren’t realistic.

“I get the impression that it’s kind of like magic, kind of as if you were in a wonderland,” Legault said.

Nadeau-Dubois shot back: “Stop scaring people, you should be inspiring Quebecers, proposing solutions.”

Quebec aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 37.5 per cent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, but the province missed its 20 per cent reduction target set for 2020 and instead reached just six per cent. Legault has said reaching those targets isn’t possible without a new hydroelectric dam, and he has suggested the four other parties’ plans aren’t achievable.

The Liberal Party of Quebec is proposing a 45 per cent reduction target over that same period. Québec solidaire, meanwhile, is aiming at 55 per cent.

During the section on cost of living, Legault once again took aim at Nadeau-Dubois, bringing up comments the Québec solidaire leader made about “decreasing the growth” of certain sectors of the economy.

“Which sectors are you talking about,” Legault asked.

Nadeau-Dubois didn’t directly address the question but talked about how demand will soon decrease for fossil fuels, which he said would affect companies such as oil refineries.

Legault cut him off, “and what about the manufacturing industry?” The incumbent Premier suggested Québec solidaire’s ideas would negatively impact the economy.

Nadeau-Dubois accused Legault, again, of using fear to make his arguments.

“Stop taking out the Halloween decorations and scaring people.”

Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade said her plan to offer tax cuts to Quebecers wouldn’t fuel inflation because the extra money would help people satisfy their basic needs.

Speaking about health – particularly mental health – Legault attacked Éric Duhaime, Conservative Party of Quebec Leader, saying he benefitted from the pain of the pandemic.

“You were an agitator who profited from the suffering of people in Quebec. It’s irresponsible.”

Duhaime fought back saying Legault has hurt the mental health of young people.

“You can’t admit that your confinement had impacts. It’s the children of Quebec who are suffering.”

On the last topic, immigration and identity, the Liberals and Conservatives faced-off, both courting Anglophone voters.

Liberal Party leader Dominique Anglade – stood up against Bill 21.

“We voted against Bill 21 and what you don’t say in English is that you want to go even further in regards to Bill 21.”

Duhaime accused the Liberals of failing Anglophones on Bill 96.

“Your party adopted amendments that were worst than what the CAQ were proposing then you wanted to remove them – you’re speaking from both sides of your mouth.”

The CAQ continues to enjoy a solid lead in the polls while the other four main parties are in a fight for second place.

The French-language debate, hosted by Radio-Canada, was one of the last chances for the leaders of the Liberals, Québec solidaire, Conservative and Parti Québécois parties to make their pitch to Quebecers before the October 3 vote.

Thursday’s contest was divided into five sections: the environment; the cost of living and the economy; health care; education and public services; and the French language, immigration and identity.

Some political analysts have said that while it would take a major misstep to knock Legault from the top of the polls, the debate remains important and any of the party leaders could face consequences from a bad performance.

On the question of why each leader want to become premier, Legault stated that he wants to improve the economy, protect the French language, and reduce greenhouse gases.

According to Nadeau-Dubois, he decided to run for office because he’s concerned about the environment. Anglade says she wants everyone in Quebec to have the opportunity, where ever they might be, to achieve their dreams. St-Pierre Plamondon, said that he wants to make Quebec a country that’s dedicated to democracy, the environment, and the dignity of its citizens. Duhaime says individual freedom and civic rights are part of his values which no other parties shared.

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