In a debate on electoral issues for young people, the leaders of Quebec’s main political parties — with the exception of the absent Prime Minister — bet on the environment and the economy. They answered questions Friday evening from voters aged 18 to 34, as part of a debate at Concordia University, co-organized by The duty and the New World Institute (INM).
Most of the questions were asked for a single candidate. Thus, in the first part of the event, although they answered different questions in turn, all the candidates — with the exception of Dominique Anglade, leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec — reproached François Legault for not have participated. “That says a lot about the importance he places on youth,” commented Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire (QS).
“The fight against climate change is the challenge of the 21ste century”, launched Mme Anglade in his opening statement. “It’s time we took the climate crisis seriously,” said Mr. Nadeau-Dubois.
Éric Duhaime, leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ), said he opposed the idea that economic growth should harm the environment, and notably opposed the closure of the Horne Foundry in Rouyn -Noranda. The latter also raised the “historic” nature of the debate, since it is “the first time in 86 years” that a candidate from a Conservative party takes part in a debate as part of a provincial election campaign.
“The CAQ’s plan is an environment in half measures […], we have no more time to fail,” commented Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of the Parti Québécois (PQ). Warmly applauded, he seemed to have many sympathizers among the crowd of just over 300 people.
Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon and Mr.me Anglade have also respectively put forward policies of control of social networks and investments in mental health to challenge young voters. Mr. Nadeau-Dubois for his part suggested that the voting age be lowered to 16, and Mr. Duhaime bet on his reform of the childcare system to ensure “more places” in daycare centres.
Political weight to be valued
Voters between the ages of 18 and 34 represent almost a third of the total Quebec electorate, according to the Quebec Institute of Statistics. Young people can therefore represent a considerable political weight.
However, an analysis of To have to conducted on the sidelines of the 2018 election campaign showed that they are systematically less inclined to participate in provincial elections. Their participation in any type of election would also be on the decline, according to Mathieu Arsenault, senior communications advisor at the INM.
The objective of Youth dialogue Friday evening was therefore to increase “the participation of young people in democratic life”, as summarized by the director general of the INM, Malorie Flon, in the opening.
According to the latest data from the Léger polling firm published on August 3, it is the Québec solidaire party that would be the most popular among 18 to 34 year olds, with 35% of voting intentions, followed by the Coalition avenir Québec, at 30%. The Conservative Party of Quebec, at 14%, is neck and neck with the Liberal Party, which obtains 12% of the voting intentions. The Parti Québécois brings up the rear with 8%.
Entitled Leaders’ Youth Dialogue – Elections 2022, the event was moderated by the Director of the To have toBrian Myles, and by Malorie Flon.
Voters aged 18 to 34 represent nearly a third of the total Quebec electorate, according to the Institut de la statistique du Québec