(Quebec) Major societal issues will be set aside at the next convention of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ), to be held in Drummondville on May 28 and 29, around the theme of pride in being Quebecers.
Posted at 3:31 p.m.
The list of proposals which will then be studied for adoption by the members of the party, a few months before the electoral deadline, ignores most of the current issues. For example, there is no resolution on the problems of the health network, the fate to be reserved for the elderly, the serious shortage of manpower, the housing crisis, the glaring lack of childcare places or the fight against greenhouse gases. Not a word either on the issues related to public transit or the rising cost of living.
In fact, it does not contain any resolution that risks embarrassing the government or putting pressure on it to redirect its choices.
Brief, the notebook contains only 23 proposals, the vast majority tinged with a strong nationalist feeling and centered on questions of identity: better teaching of the history of Quebec, revision of the teaching of French in primary and secondary schools, better protection of heritage buildings, increased support for Quebec television and film productions, to name a few. It all fits into 12 pages.
The document corresponds to the expectations of the militant base of the party. It was prepared by members meeting at regional tables, the youth commission and the political commission of the CAQ. It will serve as the basis for the drafting of the CAQ electoral platform, expected at the end of the summer.
This congress, in which a thousand people are expected to participate, will be the last major gathering of caquists before the election campaign, which is due to begin at the end of August for a ballot on October 3. The objective will consist above all in whipping up the ardor of the troops, in stimulating their pride in being Quebecers. The event will set the tone for the type of election campaign favored by the party led by François Legault.
It will be hosted by the future candidate of the party in Sherbrooke, the former elected Bloc member, commentator and former mayor of Longueuil, Caroline St-Hilaire. On Saturday, two speakers will speak to members about the reasons to be proud of their Quebec identity. Mr. Legault will deliver a speech on the same subject on Sunday morning.
The convention will also be an opportunity to announce candidates for the next election.