The provincial election campaign will offiically begin on Thursday August 23rd, Premier Philippe Couillard announced Saturday.
The campaign will last a total of 39 days, with Quebecers casting their votes on October 1. The announcement confirms rumours that Couillard would lengthen the campaign from the usual 33 days, with analysts saying such a decision would be made in the hopes that the Coalition Avenir Quebec, which has led the Liberals in most polls, would make costly gaffs.
CAQ leader Francois Legault said in a tweet he would welcome an early start to the campaign as a chance to show Quebecers why they should "turn the page on 15 years of Liberal government."
Des élections déclenchées plus tôt? Tant mieux! J’ai hâte de faire campagne avec ma formidable équipe, présenter nos idées aux Québécois et tourner la page sur 15 ans de gouvernement libéral. Quand vous voulez, M. Couillard.
— François Legault (@francoislegault) August 7, 2018
The announcement was made at the end of the Young Liberals' convention, held Saturday in Montreal. During his address, Couillard spoke with confidence about the odds of a Liberal win.
"I am announcing that on Oct. 1, 51 days from now, Quebecers will elect again a new Liberal majority government," he said to loud cheers from the crowd.
« I am announcing that on October 1st, Quebecers will elect a new majority Liberal government! » - @phcouillard #CJ2018 #PLQ #RDVLiberal #PolQc #Qc2018
— Parti libéral du Québec (@LiberalQuebec) August 11, 2018
And now we know that the campaign will officially begin August 23, for a 39-day battle between @LiberalQuebec, @coalitionavenir, @partiquebecois & @QuebecSolidaire (+ other parties, but I’m noting the ones currently holding seats at #assnat.) #polqc https://t.co/KpHY5eKiiU
— Maya Johnson (@MJohnsonCTV) August 11, 2018
Couillard's opponents and allies were quick to react. Health Minister Gaetan Barrette expressed his excitement via emoji.
"It is with the #PLQ that Quebec will continue to progress for the province's benefit and those who follow," he tweeted.
Voilà c'est fait! Gonflés à bloc nous, Libéraux, avons plus que hâte d'aller en élections le 23 août prochain C'est avec #PLQ que le Québec continuera de progresser pour votre bien et celui de ceux qui nous suivent #polqc #CJ2018 #Qc2018
— Dr Gaétan Barrette (@drgbarrette) August 11, 2018
Parti Quebecois leader Jean-Francois Lisee, whose party has trailed badly behind the Coalition Avenir Quebec and Liberals in polls, also said he's ready to hit the campaign trail.
"The @partiquebecois is ready to propose a government close to the needs of the people and that will refute the permanent austerity that the CAQ and PLQ are proposing," he said.
Tant mieux ! L’équipe du @partiquebecois est prête à proposer un gouvernement proche des besoins des gens et qui refuse l’austérité permanente que préparent la CAQ et le PLQ. #polqc https://t.co/4p9nQJuNzW
— Jean-François Lisée (@JFLisee) August 11, 2018
C'est officiel. Nous serons en élection au Québec du 23 août au 1er octobre. Vous voulez aider Québec solidaire durant cette campagne? Ajoutez votre nom sur le site https://t.co/nlAOwXdcxz#polqc #Qc2018 pic.twitter.com/97Q0aDyff6
— Québec solidaire (@QuebecSolidaire) August 11, 2018