The leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec urged voters in Beauce to turn away from the Coalition avenir Québec, which “ignored” and “despised” them, before calling Premier François Legault “fearful”. He proposed, at a rally on Saturday, to leave shotgun owners alone and instead get tough on criminals.
Posted at 5:41 p.m.
Updated at 8:03 p.m.
“I know that here in Beauce, there are a lot of hunters, a lot of farmers who are honest owners of shotguns, he declared in front of many supporters. You haven’t done anything wrong, yet we’re going after you. »
We in the Conservative Party will not attack honest shotgun owners. We are going to attack the criminals who bring guns into our country illegally.
Éric Duhaime, leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec
He did not specify how he would go about it and his electoral program is silent on the question. Border control through which illegal weapons transit is the responsibility of the federal government, not the Quebec government.
Éric Duhaime had promised Thursday 62.5 million for the hiring of 400 new police officers in Montreal within three years during his visit to the riding of Bourassa-Sauvé, which covers the majority of the territory of Montreal North, to present his candidate Carmel-Antoine Bessard. This sum would be equivalent to half the cost, he had estimated.
Two shootings occurred in broad daylight in Montreal on Tuesday afternoon, 30 minutes apart in public places, once again highlighting the rise in armed violence in the metropolis.
Elected CAQ members had recently demanded that Éric Duhaime clarify his party’s position on firearms in schools. Its candidate in L’Assomption, Ernesto Almeida, published a cartoon in June suggesting arming teachers after the killings at a primary school in Uvalde, United States. The Conservative leader then defended him by invoking freedom of expression.
Ideas that “carry weight”
On Saturday, Mr. Duhaime attacked Prime Minister François Legault, accusing him of having refused interviews and debates to avoid defending his record. “François Legault is a coward,” he said to approving applause. But tomorrow, the election campaign will be launched. He will have to come out of his hiding place. »
Expect an election where things will stir. And we’re going to brew it, the rest of us too. Don’t say I advocate violence. With the frame cat I have, I don’t brew anyone. I may not be fat, but my ideas carry weight!
Éric Duhaime, leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec
Éric Duhaime’s gathering in Beauceville once again attracted a large crowd, like the one in Quebec last Sunday. More than 1,400 people would have moved, according to the PCQ. The Press could not independently verify these figures, but images posted on social networks show a large gathering.
“It’s here, you’re the epicenter,” he told them. This is where it will start, movement and change in Quebec on October 3rd. Quebec is counting on you, the Beaucerons! »
In 2018, the CAQ won the seven ridings in Chaudière-Appalaches. According to the projections of the Qc125.com site, the PCQ could make a breakthrough in the riding of Beauce-Sud, held by Samuel Poulin. The young caquiste had yet won his election hands down with nearly 63% of the vote, which gave him an impressive lead of 13,978 votes. The Conservative candidate is Jonathan Poulin, a 30-year-old lawyer who grew up in the region.