The Quebec leaders’ debate took place Thursday evening, with the election campaign entering its final phase and the party leaders trying to win over Quebec’s swing ridings. In comparison to the last debate, Premier François Legault ensured that he gave the impression that he wanted to keep his job. Viewers were unsure what to expect of the Radio-Canada debate after the first round on September 15th saw the five leaders be criticized for talking at the same time.
But did the debate make a difference? Currently, Francois Legault and his Coalition Avenir Québec party are so far ahead in the polls that few observers see how he could lose on October 3rd. But Legault was uninspiring during the first debate.
The CAQ may be way out in front, but Mr. Legault’s campaign is not going according to plan due to self-inflicted gaffes. He has felt compelled to apologize – twice – since the start of the campaign for comments about immigration and anti-native rhetoric.
The other challenge for Mr. Legault is that with multiple adversaries, he has faced attacks from all sides. Due to a large number of parties competing this time around, many local races are up for grabs, making the end result unpredictable.
But it is Legault’s election to lose, and he remains a very popular premier.
Dominique Anglade, the Liberal leader, is so far behind in the polls that some observers believe she could lose her place as leader of the opposition, and the party might be reduced to a shell of its former state.
In Thursday evening’s debate, Ms. Anglade continued to be eclipsed by the other leaders and had difficulty landing punches on her opponents.
Anglade has had two years as a leader to try to connect with French-speaking voters and has failed so far. Polls now show support is waning from both English and French speakers.
In the final week of the campaign, Anglade must show that she is not just the leader of a West Island party made up of anglophones and allophones while at the same time fighting to retain the support of these voters, who could easily move their ballot to the Bloc Montreal or Canadian Party of Quebec.
At 32 years of age, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois may be the youngest on the stage but did not look out of place. The co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire gave a solid performance during the first and second debates. Nadeau-Dubois’ easy demeanour and quick responses scored him points, with a poll of viewers voting him the winner.
Thursday night was his chance to build off of his previous performance and prove to Quebecers that he should be the leader of the official opposition, not Anglade.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, the leader of the Parti Québécois, who has never held elected office, came in last when pollsters asked Quebecers who they would vote for, but he was the second preferred choice in the debate.
According to a Léger poll, when asked who exceeded expectations the most during the last debate, St-Pierre Plamondon came out on top. And the party has a considerable war chest, the second after that of the CAQ.
But he faces a challenge because for the majority of Quebecers, sovereignty is on the back burner. Supporters of independence are divided between the PQ and three other parties whose leaders support sovereignty (Québec solidaire, the CAQ and the Conservatives).
Finally, Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime, a skilled communicator, scored points during the last debate, particularly with his attacks on Legault.
Like St-Pierre Plamondon, Duhaime, a former broadcaster and political operative, does not hold a seat in the National Assembly and the debates were the first opportunity for Quebecers to see him face-to-face with other leaders. His performance in the debates gave the party a boost, according to a poll.
Thursday’s rematch was an opportunity for Duhaime to reinforce his message that he would be the best leader of the opposition and to inspire his enthusiastic supporters to vote, especially in areas where he has momentum: including Quebec City and Beauce.
In all, Quebec voters will have a lot to take into account when they vote on October 3rd.
