Campaign Bulletin | The Press

Experts invited for the duration of the electoral campaign, professors Stéphanie Yates and Thierry Giasson give their opinion each Saturday on five of the main themes of the week.

Commitment of the week

The third link again

Stéphanie Yates, professor in the department of social and public communication, UQAM

We have known for a long time that science and politics do not always mix. Scientific data is difficult to explain, is not always available when decisions are made and often presents a nuanced point of view that does not sit well with a political contest where black and white prevail. Still, it is rare for a politician to admit outright that a project involving billions of dollars is a purely political decision. Yet this is what François Legault did the day after the Face to face de TVA, although he admitted that he had no study on the four-lane tunnel project proposed by his party. A surprising admission, not to say shocking for taxpayers.

Again the third link (bis)

Thierry Giasson, Professor in the Department of Political Science, Université Laval

The third link will be made at all costs, conclusive studies or not. This was announced by François Legault earlier this week. It will be a political decision, the government will move forward. In doing so, the CAQ leader shows that evidence does not guide all his public policies. This statement aroused the indignation of all opponents of Mr. Legault who accuse him of dogmatism. The issue, regional in its impacts, but national in terms of the scope of its costs (financial and environmental), is thus imposed on all Quebecers, whether they live in the Quebec region or not. Some (many?) might find this problematic.

The memorable moment

A debate that appeals to the intelligence of voters

Stéphanie Yates, professor in the department of social and public communication, UQAM

During the debate of the leaders of Radio-Canada, the voters this time had the right to enlightening exchanges on the proposals of each of the parties, without unnecessary cacophony. If the Face to face de TVA looked like a dental exam for the chief caquiste, who obviously wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible, this time it looked like a visit to the mechanic: smiling at the start, suspicious afterwards, sometimes dissatisfied , and capable of going on the offensive. Several of his attacks have focused: against Éric Duhaime, described as an “agitator” who “benefited from the suffering” during the pandemic, against Dominique Anglade for the bureaucracy established by the Liberals in the CPE file, and especially against Gabriel Nadeau- Dubois, accused of living “in wonderland”. A debate that will therefore make little change in voting intentions.

A clumsy assertion… and an apology

Thierry Giasson, Professor in the Department of Political Science, Université Laval

François Legault apologized (again!) this week for the clumsy assertion he made during the TVA debate that the situation that led to the death of Joyce Echaquan at the Joliette hospital “was resolved”. For many, including the spouse of Mr.^me Echaquan – whom the Prime Minister challenged in his speech – this statement gives the impression that the Prime Minister is insensitive to the discrimination experienced by Aboriginal people. On the delicate issues that affect the cultural diversity of Quebec, Mr. Legault combines odds and problematic statements that force him to apologize. We can’t wait for the campaign to end, because Quebecers’ patience with him could end up reaching its limits.

The leader in action

Divide and rule

Stéphanie Yates, professor in the department of social and public communication, UQAM

In the campaign, it can pay to divide the electorate, or to play the game of wedge politics (divide policy). This is what François Legault did by summing up the campaign to “two opposing visions”, that of the economy – the Coalition avenir Québec wants to give back money to taxpayers – and the environment – Québec solidaire, on the contrary, wants to tax them more. This strategy, which is likely to please those who consider the discourse on the climate crisis to be alarmist and who are wary of Québec solidaire, relegates the three other parties to the background. Nothing to promote a concerted work of the oppositions in order to “block” François Legault, as proposed by Dominique Anglade.

A lackluster performance

Thierry Giasson, Professor in the Department of Political Science, Université Laval

The media consortium presented its debate on Thursday evening and François Legault, draft on TVA last week, had to pull himself together and offer a performance worthy of a prime minister. It is rather a half-hearted performance to which we were entitled. It was perhaps enough to reassure his base and the undecided who hesitate to support the CAQ again, but he once again faced opponents more in spirit than him. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon showed height and dignity and was able to pin the prime minister on the decline of French. Dominique Anglade, who wanted to introduce us to the “real Dominique”, was convinced, human and rightly reminded Mr. Legault that women in Quebec are suffering significant repercussions from his first mandate. Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois was consistent and calm when he repeatedly indicated that the young father that he is is worried about the climate emergency. We must act now for those who follow us, he hammered. Finally, Éric Duhaime, more smiling but largely ignored by his opponents, was solid on the question of the third link. However, with 10 campaign days left, will these performances really affect voting intentions?

The rising/falling star

No star for absentees

Stéphanie Yates, professor in the department of social and public communication, UQAM

We learned this week that some 30 candidates from the Coalition avenir Québec refused to take part in local or regional debates. This type of exercise is certainly risky, especially for the candidates in the lead, who have everything to lose and little to gain by taking part. Moreover, party centrals sometimes require their candidates to abstain from taking part in such activities. However, this empty chair policy is contrary to the spirit of an election campaign, which should rather be seen as an opportunity to exchange ideas, to debate them precisely, to allow voters to make informed choices. . An overly idealistic view of the real politics ?

A denial of democracy

Thierry Giasson, Professor in the Department of Political Science, Université Laval

A Radio-Canada report on Monday reveals the relative absence of many CAQ candidates in local debates. PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says he sees in this silence of CAQ candidates a denial of democracy and argues that they are subject to instructions limiting their ability to express themselves during the campaign. If so, it is indeed problematic. Conducting a disciplined and cautious campaign on the message to be delivered is one thing, but preventing its candidates from taking part in the debates (probably because we fear slippages…) gives the impression that the CAQ strategists have little confidence to the competence and good judgment of their candidates. This should concern voters…and those candidates!

The picture that is worth 1000 words

A message that hits home

Stéphanie Yates, professor in the department of social and public communication, UQAM

Car owners were surprised to find on their windshields this week leaflets from the Coalition avenir Québec denouncing the “orange tax” of Québec solidaire. A successful operation, which directly appeals to people who would potentially be affected by these measures that are part of the Solidarity Climate Plan. And this, even if the campaign pours into misinformation. In fact, according to the party’s proposal, several vehicles would be exempt from such a tax, which would also spare families of five and those living in remote areas. Above all, this tax would only apply to the purchase of new vehicles and would therefore not have an immediate effect for people who currently own gas-guzzling vehicles.

Duhaime did not expect better

Thierry Giasson, Professor in the Department of Political Science, Université Laval

As we said earlier, the third highway link in Quebec emerged as the issue of the week when Premier François Legault first suggested that there were no studies on the project, that if they existed, they would not be published and, finally, that he would carry out the project independently of the conclusions of any studies. Conservative leader Éric Duhaime expected no better and raised the issue all week. His attack strategy culminated in a staged appearance at the Department of Transportation to file freedom of information requests demanding that studies already completed be uncovered within seven days. The count is started.