WATCH: Former TVA reporter and Quebec Liberal candidate Véronyque Tremblay crushed her CAQ rival Jocelyne Cazin, putting an end to the party’s eight-year reign in the riding. Caroline Plante has details on Quebec’s byelection results in Jean-Talon and Chauveau.
QUEBEC CITY — Monday’s provincial byelections were seen as political tests, even if the results do not change the balance of power at the Quebec National Assembly.
The Liberals retained the riding of Jean-Talon and took Chauveau. Both ridings are in the Quebec City area.
WATCH ABOVE: Chauveau by-election heats up
“The Liberals will say that it’s a sign of support for their policies,” said Le Soleil political columnist Gilbert Lavoie.
“Obviously it could be seen that way, however I think local issues and the local candidate explain the results.”
Former TVA reporter Véronyque Tremblay crushed her CAQ rival Jocelyne Cazin, putting an end to the CAQ’s eight-year reign in Chauveau.
The CAQ did even worse in Jean-Talon where Alain Fecteau scored less than 15 per cent of the vote, meaning he will not be allowed to claim his campaign expenses.
WATCH ABOVE: CAQ v. Libs in Jean-Talon by-election
“I cannot understand why people would accept school tax increases of 33 per cent and still vote for the government,” said a deeply disappointed François Legault.
“I think it has to be another reason and I think it’s around the national question.”
The results indicate the CAQ leader could struggle in the fall, squeezed out by the Parti Québécois and the Liberals, who continue to fight on the economy and Quebec independence.
Lavoie said she believes much of Legault’s future hinges on how well Pierre Karl Péladeau does in politics. So far, he said, PKP’s performance has been lacklustre.
“If you look at the fact that Julie Snyder, his wife-to-be, has been campaigning in Chauveau, that Mr. Péladeau has been there often, that he’s just been chosen leader of his party, 3 per cent is not a big increase,” said Lavoie.
“It’s a bit better in Jean-Talon but Mr. Péladeau will have to prove himself much more than that in order to become a real threat.”
The Liberals now have 71 MNAs, the PQ 30 and the CAQ 21.
The two Liberal recruits will attend their first caucus meeting on Wednesday at the National Assembly.
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