QUEBEC CITY – Off to a shaky start in 2012, the governing Parti Québécois is now on solid ground.
Its approval rating has jumped 13 percentage points since June, according to pollsters at CROP.
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The PQ is now tied with the Liberals at 35 per cent in voting intentions, with Pauline Marois earning the nod for best Premier.
Marois summed it up: “We succeed because we had very good results all year.
The PQ attributes part of its success to the law on integrity, used to fight off collusion and corruption.
READ MORE: Fight against collusion rakes in $240 M in savings: Transport Québec
Keepers of the public purse say the law has already helped Quebec trim 2 billion dollars off its debt.
The PQ also sought its dues from Ottawa this year.
Ministers puffing out their chests to obtain data from the gun registry, better funded employment and skills-training programs, ownership of the Champlain bridge, and more money for Lac-Megantic…often with variable results.
“I would just say to Ottawa: respect the law, respect the Constitution and stop acting in Quebec’s field,” Sovereignist Governance Minister Alexandre Cloutier said.
But the Premier’s efficient and compassionate intervention in Lac-Megantic propelled her in the polls.
As did her special legislation to force construction workers back to work.
READ MORE: Quebec passes bill to end construction strike
However, Marois incurred the wrath of opposition parties and a big segment of the population when she tabled Bill 14 to toughen the French language.
“We have to support the progress of the French language in Quebec,” Marois argued.
WATCH: Hundreds of people took the streets of Montreal on Wednesday to protest what they call the decline of the French language
More than 60 groups presented briefs at a parliamentary commission, including the Central Quebec School Board.
“It is a battle,” Riverside parent Caroline Parent told Global News. “We have to fight for our rights, for our children.”
“If the government doesn’t go back on certain articles in the law we’ll vote against it,” promised CAQ MNA Nathalie Roy.
In the end, the controversial bill died on the order paper.
Read more: Bill amending Quebec’s French language charter dies
But that didn’t stop the Marois government from re-offending:
“We’re saying through the charter the state should be neutral from a religious standpoint and should not have any religion,” said Democratic Institutions Minister Bernard Drainville in September.
Drainville provided media with a picture of what is acceptable in Quebec’s civil service and what is considered conspicuous under his Charter of Quebec Values.
He said discreet religious jewelry was ok, but kippas, turbans, burkas and hijabs would have to be banned.
READ MORE: Parti Quebecois unveils details of Charter of Values
This provoked a tidal wave of emotion, starting with Muslim groups, who see this charter as undemocratic and illegal.
WATCH: A protest organized by several of Montreal’s cultural communities drew thousands against Quebec’s proposed Charter of Values
Still, it allowed the PQ to win over large segments of voters, especially those living in the mainly francophone regions.
Although firm in his criticism of the charter, the new Liberal leader, Philippe Couillard, couldn’t quite stick to one message, causing division in his caucus and earning him the unflattering nickname of “Philippe-flop”.
READ MORE: Liberal leader gets a new nickname
“We had some arguments and some discussion,” said Liberal MNA Fatima Houda-Pepin.
Couillard also faced the uncomfortable task of explaining why police raided Liberal offices in Montreal.
“We’ve asked each of our present members if they had been met by police,” he told the press.
Some believed disarray at the Liberal party would benefit the CAQ, but despite working hard and being very present in the media, the CAQ continues to stagnate in the polls, earning only about 18 per cent of voting intentions.
“We need to be responsible,” said CAQ leader François Legault.
These latest poll numbers will make it very tempting for the Premier to call an election next Spring.
Marois wants a majority government and despite the fact that she has increased the deficit, abandoned many election promises and polarized Quebecers, there’s a good chance she will continue to do well in the new year.
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