A Minority Government for Quebec
Wednesday March 28, 2007
For the first time in nearly 130 years, the province of Quebec has a minority government. The results of the Quebec election on Monday leave the Liberals in government with Jean Charest as Premier, and the right-wing Action démocratique du Québec (ADQ) as the Official Opposition. The separatist Parti Québécois (PQ) came in third.
Premier Jean Charest had been unpopular for much of his previous mandate, and voters expressed their dissatisfaction with his government by delivering a loss of 26 seats for the Liberals. Charest's promise of tax cuts from federal budget equalization payments raised concerns during the election campaign. Those tax cuts may not happen with the ADQ in Opposition.
The PQ lost 10 seats and its Official Opposition status. The poor showing by the PQ under André Boisclair shows Quebeckers have little appetite for another referendum on Quebec separation, and leave no prospect of a referendum in the near future. Boisclair has said he plans to stay on as PQ leader, but the party may not agree.
The big story is the ADQ surge past the PQ, going from just four seats in the 2003 election to 41 seats in 2007. The ADQ is still essentially a one-man party and Mario Dumont created and controlled the ADQ election campaign. A prime element of the ADQ campaign was autonomy, which to Dumont means greater powers for Quebec without separation. Dumont's biggest challenge may be his own caucus. Most are inexperienced in politics and few expected to actually win a seat in the Quebec National Assembly.
The Quebec election results have pushed speculation about a spring federal election into high gear. Prime Minister Harper denies any immediate plans to call a federal election, but all federal parties are in active preparation mode.
More on Quebec Election 2007
Quebec Elections
Liberal Premier Charest Holds on to Sherbrooke Seat - CBC
PQ Humbled, Finishes 3rd - CBC
Dumont Capitalizes on Separatism Fatigue - CTV
Sovereignty is Impossible - Montreal Gazette
Premier Jean Charest had been unpopular for much of his previous mandate, and voters expressed their dissatisfaction with his government by delivering a loss of 26 seats for the Liberals. Charest's promise of tax cuts from federal budget equalization payments raised concerns during the election campaign. Those tax cuts may not happen with the ADQ in Opposition.
The PQ lost 10 seats and its Official Opposition status. The poor showing by the PQ under André Boisclair shows Quebeckers have little appetite for another referendum on Quebec separation, and leave no prospect of a referendum in the near future. Boisclair has said he plans to stay on as PQ leader, but the party may not agree.
The big story is the ADQ surge past the PQ, going from just four seats in the 2003 election to 41 seats in 2007. The ADQ is still essentially a one-man party and Mario Dumont created and controlled the ADQ election campaign. A prime element of the ADQ campaign was autonomy, which to Dumont means greater powers for Quebec without separation. Dumont's biggest challenge may be his own caucus. Most are inexperienced in politics and few expected to actually win a seat in the Quebec National Assembly.
The Quebec election results have pushed speculation about a spring federal election into high gear. Prime Minister Harper denies any immediate plans to call a federal election, but all federal parties are in active preparation mode.
More on Quebec Election 2007
Quebec Elections
Liberal Premier Charest Holds on to Sherbrooke Seat - CBC
PQ Humbled, Finishes 3rd - CBC
Dumont Capitalizes on Separatism Fatigue - CTV
Sovereignty is Impossible - Montreal Gazette
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