MONTREAL — Quebec’s governing Coalition Avenir Québec party is dominating its rivals in fundraising and in the polls — days before the province’s fall election campaign is scheduled to begin.
The CAQ has raised $928,562 from 7,377 donors since the beginning of 2022, Élections Québec said Wednesday. That puts the party almost $300,000 ahead of its nearest rival, the Parti Québécois, which has raised $654,150 from 6,248 donors since the beginning of the year.
Eric Montigny, a political science professor at Université Laval, said it isn’t a surprise the governing party has raised the most money.
“There are more members of the legislature, so there is more organization, which makes it easier to raise money,” he said in an interview Wednesday.
While the PQ is second for donations, it is currently polling in fifth place.
André Lamoureux, a political science lecturer at the Université du Québec à Montréal, said that even though support for the PQ has declined in recent elections, it still has a strong organization. Party supporters, Lamoureux said, tend to be devoted and engaged.
“They’re generally activists who know politics and who also give to their party,” he said in an interview Wednesday, describing the practice of donating to the party as a “tradition” for PQ supporters.
The Liberal Party of Quebec — currently polling in second place — has raised $324,020, the lowest number among the province’s five main parties. The Liberals also have the fewest donors: 2,381 — less than half the number of donors who contributed to any other party.
Montigny said the Liberals have been hurt by Quebec’s strict election financing laws. Since 2013, individual donations have been capped at $100 per party, per year, with an additional $100 donation allowed during election years. Corporate and union donations are banned.
Before that, Montigny said the Liberals counted on fewer donors than the PQ, but tended to receive larger contributions.
Maxime Doyon-Laliberté, a Liberal spokesman, said in an email that the party is taking a decentralized approach to fundraising, with local party associations raising money in their ridings.
“We’re in an election year, the teams with our candidates are becoming more and more active in this area,” he said Wednesday, adding that the party has the budget to campaign “at the level of our ambitions.”
Québec solidaire, a left-of-centre party, has raised $560,693 from 4,663 donors.
The Conservative Party of Quebec, meanwhile, has the most donors out of the five parties with seats in the legislature — 9,120 — but the smallest average donation, giving the party a total of $517,078. The Conservatives were also the only party to see the number of donors rise from 2021 to 2022. Last year, 7,000 people gave $310,112.
The Conservatives saw support rise with their opposition to COVID-19 restrictions, Lamoureux said, adding that supporters are ready to give money to the party.
Quebec Premier François Legault has said he plans to officially launch the election campaign on Sunday, with the vote scheduled for Oct. 3.
As the legislature broke for the summer, Legault’s party had 76 seats, while the Quebec Liberals had 27, Québec solidaire had 10 and the Parti Québécois had seven. The Conservative Party of Quebec held one seat and there were four Independents.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 24, 2022.
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
