Québec Politics: What You Might Have Missed

With the federal election campaign in full swing, did you find it hard to keep up with the latest news from Québec over the past few weeks? Don’t worry! As always, we’ve prepared a roundup of the headlines that have shaped daily life for Québecers this spring.

By-election: Éric Duhaime launches his campaign in Arthabaska

After weeks of reflection, Éric Duhaime, leader of the Conservative Party of Québec (PCQ), has confirmed that he will run in the upcoming by-election in the riding of Arthabaska. Polling aggregators currently predict a tight three-way race between the CAQ, Parti Québécois, and PCQ. Should Mr. Duhaime win, he would become the first Conservative MNA elected in modern Québec history.

Civility in schools: cellphone ban and return of formal address

Following a request from the Premier, Education Minister Bernard Drainville unveiled his plan to restore civility in schools. Among the attention-grabbing measures: a complete ban on cellphone use in schools—an initiative that enjoys broad support. Surprisingly, the plan also includes a return to formal address (‘vous’) between students and school staff. Is this realistic, given the evolution of public education? Time will tell.

Hospital crisis: Maisonneuve-Rosemont narrowly avoids disaster, government under pressure

Disaster was narrowly avoided at Montréal’s Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital when a storm caused a power outage lasting over an hour in the intensive care unit and operating rooms. The incident renewed pressure on the government, which has been slow to greenlight long-overdue renovations. After weeks of defending the budget, the Health Minister has now promised to unveil a fast-track plan for the project in the coming weeks.

First debate in the Québec Liberal Party leadership race

The first debate in the Québec Liberal Party (PLQ) leadership race was relatively tame. Former federal minister Pablo Rodriguez, the polling frontrunner, faced coordinated attacks, with rivals linking him to the Trudeau government’s loose fiscal management. The new Liberal leader will be chosen at the party convention in Québec City on June 14.

SAAQclic scandal: inquiry commission begins its work

The inquiry commission set up to investigate the SAAQclic scandal has begun its work under a cloud of controversy, following revelations of close ties between some commission members and the government. While the opposition demands the commission be paused, the government insists that Commissioner Denis Gallant must be allowed to carry out his work independently. His report on the problems with the online auto insurance platform SAAQclic is expected in September.

Strike legislation: unions warn of chaos

In recent weeks, the government tabled a bill that would broaden the definition of essential services and grant the minister the power to end labour disputes through arbitration in cases of serious or irreparable harm to the public. Québec’s major labour unions see the legislation as an unprecedented attack on the right to strike and are demanding its immediate withdrawal. Failing that, they are threatening nothing short of chaos—including a campaign against the CAQ in the next election.