Quebec’s non-ruling political parties are courting the province’s anglophones, banking on the perception that English-speakers have begun to feel neglected after decades of loyalty to the Liberals.
In recent weeks, both Coalition Avenir Quebec leader Francois Legault and Parti Quebecois leader Jean-Francois Lisee have made public appeals to Anglophone voters: Legault has promised to never hold a sovereignty referendum while Lisee has touted his time as a cabinet minister in charge of relations with the English community under premier Pauline Marois.
Both parties have their eyes on the riding of Verdun, a seat which has been held by a Liberal for the past 50 years. Shifting political winds could see that change in next month’s by-election.
Lisee has also sworn to focus on good governance during a first term as premier, with no referendum to be held unless he wins reelection. He said some anglo voters have already expressed a wish to vote for his party in the next provincial election in 2018.
“I meet them, they come to me, they talk to me, that’s what they say,” he said.
Legault, however, believes his party’s recent statements promoting the benefits of federalism will do more to sway any voters who have grown tired of Liberal scandals.
“You really have to discard this project of sovereignty,” he said. “That’s what we did. (Lisee) is unhappy because now we’re competitive and he’s not.”
Lisee shot back, calling Legault “this shifting persona who’s a separatist one day, a federalist another day.”
The Liberals have made their own appeals to English-speaking voters; during their annual convention last week, Premier Philippe Couillard said he is “proud… of the role you play, proud to say your future is here, proud to say we will build your future together.”
Couillard has also recently met with the Quebec Community Groups Network, a group which represents dozens of English organizations from across Quebec. It was the first time the QCGN had met with a premier since Bernard Landry was in power.
For their part, the Liberals claim to welcome the new competition.
“It’s new that the PQ and CAQ are recognizing that the Anglophone community and English-speaking citizens in Quebec are Quebecers,” said House Leader Jean-Marc Fournier. “That’s good news. That’s the first time.”
