Quebec’s leaders said they were “shocked” and “distressed” by Tuesday night’s U.S. election results that will propel Donald Trump into the White House.
All four political parties spoke out, saying they would have preferred if Hillary Clinton had been elected president.
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Some of Quebec’s politicians have shown great concern, while others showed simple resignation.
Premier Philippe Couillard had said Wednesday that Trump’s positions do not align with Quebec values.
Now, after congratulating the president-elect, Couillard pointed out his government’s main priority following the results is the economy.
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“The world, North America, Canada, Quebec is in a state of uncertainty and potential instability and I do understand this,” he said, adding that both countries have to work together on trade.
“I do understand that, and I think I can speak for the majority of Quebecers, that the type of politics we saw during the campaign is not the type of politics that we want to have in Quebec.”
The premier pointed out the tone of Trump’s acceptance speech was much different than the tone of his speeches during the campaign.
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All the same, he condemned the discourse Trump used throughout the campaign.
Parti Québécois (PQ) Leader Jean-François Lisée voiced concerns about the global fight against climate change, considering Trump said he didn’t believe in it.
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He also said the election sent an alarming message about how women can — and should — be treated.
When asked what message this result sends to women, he responded: “to women and to men — anything goes.”
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Québec Solidaire‘s Françoise David said she was shocked by the results and is calling on her fellow politicians to show a better example of how to behave.
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She said it’s up to the province’s political class and the media to take greater responsibility when it comes to how they explain problems to the population.
“It was always push the button, the button of racism, of sexism and sometimes of hate, really hate,” she said.
“We have a big responsibility to think about what we say.”
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The premier will meet with the American consul general Wednesday afternoon.
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