The departure from political life of the outgoing MP for Rimouski, Harold Lebel, leaves many of his supporters in a dilemma for October 3. The PQ, the CAQ and QS lead a rather tight three-way fight, but a tour on the spot shows an orange tendency.
The riding has belonged to the Parti Québécois since 1994, and Harold Lebel had won a majority of 6,000 votes in 2018, before being expelled from caucus on a charge of sexual assault.
On this beautiful windy Saturday on the banks of the river, there are countless times when the citizens approached explain having voted “for Harold” the last time, and that they would have voted “for him”, had it not been for the circumstances.
André, in his sixties, does not know who to set his sights on for the first time in his life.
“If it had been Harold, I would have voted for the man. I am a separatist, but I will not vote PQ just for that.
Since he will be leaving the country on the day advance voting begins, he may not have to decide, which would relieve his conscience.
When asked if he would be sad to see the PQ being swept away in Quebec except for one or two counties, he seems to have already got used to the idea.
“Well, in any case, the idea of independence will remain. Maybe another party will do it one day.”
An employee of the Cantine de la Gare, a local institution, Yvan, 44, for his part, shows his unconditional support for the PQ.
“I have always been for them, it does not change, because for me, it is important, sovereignty, language.”
A QS trend
Around the Halles St-Germain, a majority of those with whom I discuss lines up behind QS and its candidate Carol-Ann Kack, or is thinking of doing so.
“For all of their proposals, for social democracy, and that’s the only real opposition possible now,” Jean-Pierre, 67, told me.
Executive at Wall-Mart, Jean-François, 50, ex-PQ concerned about health care in the context of an aging population, is leaning towards solidarity this time, because GND “is the one that inspires the most confidence” .
Further, met at the park, a 28-year-old master’s student in biology, and her boyfriend, a construction employee, will support QS.
“He had canceled his vote in 2018, but there I convinced him,” she says with a smile.
Three SQDC employees on strike also plead unanimously for solidarity, even if they are not attracted by the independence project.
Among the faithful to the PQ, Diane, 58, does not share the pessimistic predictions about the future of René Lévesque’s party and will vote for Samuel Ouellet, former political attaché of Harold Lebel who is trying to succeed him.
“I’m pretty confident. I spoke to my nephews who are going to university, after the debate, and they are also lining up for the PQ, I have hope.
With the CAQ
And the caquistes, who are banking on the candidacy of the former mayor of Ste-Luce, Maïté Blanchette Vézinas, still also have their share of support.
The party of François Legault attracts the sympathy of many, in particular for its management of the pandemic.
“I think they did well even if people don’t judge badly. I liked what Mr. Legault did enough to give him another four years, ”sums up Josélito, a 44-year-old telecom technician.
Crossed at the entrance of Carrefour Rimouski, an employee of the Ford dealer, wearing a sweater adorned with the flamboyant Mustang logo, makes the same speech, showing satisfaction with the CAQ.
“With the Covid, it was not easy and they still managed it well”, he tells me, while his girlfriend also nods.
Among the dozens of people I solicit, only one mentions a possible vote for the Liberal Party of Quebec.
A lady in her sixties, with a clear judgment, tells me that her choice will stop on “Anglade or Nadeau-Dubois” because “Legault is a two of spades, and Duhaime a big zero.”
The other meetings
Some Conservatives
Over the course of my random encounters, two people show support for Éric Duhaime’s PCQ, including Julie, a 41-year-old insurance broker, disappointed with the CAQ for which she had voted in 2018.
“I thought they would be on the right, but that was not it, they governed for the boomers”, launches the one who also votes for the conservatives at the federal level.
“I have always been for less government, greater accountability of the individual, then, I pay too much tax and taxes for the services that we receive,” she explains with confidence.
She asks me in turn about the trend that emerges from my informal survey.
“Here it seems to line up QS, I don’t understand,” sighs the young woman.
Grateful to Legault
Edmond comes up to me, leaning on a cane, when he notices that I’m asking passers-by about their October 3 vote.
“I had voted for Harold but there it will be the CAQ, because they really did their best in difficult circumstances”, blows the sympathetic 75-year-old man.
“It deserves to give them another chance, so, in your opinion?”
“It deserves thanks,” he replies tit for tat.
He will pass his turn
A teacher, disillusioned separatist, says he will not vote this year.
“In 2018, I voted for Harold Lebel, because I wanted to do my duty as a citizen, and he was our man. But there, no, I will not vote PQ, nor for the others, ”says Robin, 56.
He deplores the fact that several parties are promising tax cuts, while the quality of services is declining.
“And QS who would add taxes to fund a sea of projects…no, I dropped out.”
Rimouski in brief
Photo by Rémi Nadeau
The shore of the river in Rimouski
Number of voters: 46,161
Result in 2018
- PQ- 44%
- CAQ- 25%
- QS- 17%
- PLQ- 12%
*Members of the Parti Québécois have been elected there without interruption since 1994