MONTREAL – Politics has always been a hot subject in Quebec, and this year was no exception.
From anti-austerity demonstrations in the street to #flushgate and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau celebrating his victory right in the heart of downtown, here are the biggest political stories Global News covered in Quebec this year:
Negotiating collective agreements
“I don’t believe anyone is happy with another strike day.”
After months of protests, the province reached an agreement in principle in Quebec City with the Common Front.
READ THE STORY: Province and public sector unions reach agreement in principle
#Flushgate
“It’s disgusting. The river is important, it’s the symbol of Quebec.”
Despite much protest, the City of Montreal continued with its plan to dump raw sewage into the Saint Lawrence River; the dump was 5 billion litres of sewage, down from the original 8 billion litres estimated.
READ THE STORY: Saint Lawrence sewage dump infuriates Montrealers
Quebec tables long gun registry
“We are united at this point that firearms are not ordinary objects. They need to be registered. They need to be surveyed at all times.”
The Firearms Registration Act, Bill 64, would require all firearms to be registered with the province.
READ THE STORY: Quebec tables bill to set up a long-gun registry
PKP leads the PQ
“It is in all our interests to place the superior interest of Quebec above our personal ambitions. The great coalition for independence must be reborn.”
After fighting a loosing battle in 2014, the sovereigntist Parti Québécois party elected media mogul Pierre Karl Péladeau as its new leader.
READ THE STORY: What do you know about Parti Québécois leader Pierre Karl Péladeau?
Mordecai Richler gazebo
“People are fed up with how long this work site has taken to complete.”
Local residents and elected officials are still desperately waiting for the city to complete renovations of the Mordecai Richler tribute gazebo.
READ THE STORY: What’s happening with the Mordecai Richler gazebo?
Anti-austerity protests
“This is a social movement that workers are working on for a long moment.”
Workers in Quebec aren’t happy with many of the government’s choices and they were ready to head into the streets to get their message across.
READ THE STORY: Quebecers take to the streets to protest austerity
New police chief
“I have to make sure that all citizens in Montreal can have a safe place to live.”
Philippe Pichet replaced Marc Parent as Montreal’s police chief, who stepped down after five years as police chief and a total of 31 years of service.
READ THE STORY: Philippe Pichet is named Montreal’s new police chief
Trudeau’s influence in Quebec
“I have a simple message for you on behalf of 35 million Canadians. We’re back.”
Justin Trudeau’s victory will have reverberations beyond Canada’s borders after the Liberal Party leader emphatically put an end to a decade of rule by the most conservative leadership in the country’s history.
READ THE STORY: Liberals sweep to a majority in 2015 federal election
Dying with dignity
“It’s a way of alleviating people’s suffering at the end of their life and it’s done with a lot of safeguards.”
Quebec’s controversial legislation on assisted dying became law despite strong opposition from groups, including doctors.
READ THE STORY: Quebec pushes for assisted-dying law despite opposition
rachel.lau@globalnews.ca
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