It’s the start of the parliamentary term in Quebec, where the CAQ government of François Legault wants to pass important health and education bills.
In addition to carrying out its Bills 15 and 23, which provide for structural changes in the networks, the government wants to reach an agreement with public sector unions to renew collective agreements that expired since March.
But it is far from being a done deal; Prime Minister Legault confided last Friday to fearing “disruptions” this fall, while the common front and the Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE) are raising the threat of an unlimited general strike.
For their part, the opposition parties have identified the staff shortage, the housing crisis and the skyrocketing cost of living as priority issues this fall.
The government suggests that it could provide solutions to help certain Quebecers cope with the cost of living in its economic update, which should normally be presented in November.
François Legault’s troops remain very popular for the moment, except in Quebec, where recent polls suggest a slight loss of support following the abandonment of the flagship project for a third Quebec-Lévis highway link.
A close fight is therefore expected in the constituency of Jean-Talon, where a complementary election will be held on October 2, to replace the resigning CAQ MP Joëlle Boutin.
The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) and the Parti Québécois (PQ) are currently engaged in a battle, according to polls.
The riding of Jean-Talon was once a Liberal stronghold before the CAQ seized it in 2019. In 2022, the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) finished fourth in Jean-Talon.
The liberals, without a leader since December, in disarray, will soon meet in congress. We should then present the rules of the leadership race, as well as the report of the recovery committee which is co-chaired by former senator André Pratte.
For their part, in November, the members of Québec solidaire (QS) will elect a new co-spokesperson to replace Manon Massé who will however continue to sit as an MP.
Christine Labrie, Ruba Ghazal and Émilise Lessard-Therrien all hope to represent the party alongside the male spokesperson, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
The PQ, for its part, has indicated that it will wait until after the by-election in Jean-Talon to present its Budget for year one. The presentation of this much-awaited document will take place on October 23, it was indicated.