Duhaime warns of 'distortion of the century' with widespread support not projected to result in election wins
Quebec Conservative Party Leader Eric Duhaime campaigned in his own Chauveau riding Saturday, urging residents to vote for him, or risk the “electoral distortion of the century.”
Chaveau is a large, mostly rural riding north of Quebec City. Duhaime is up against incumbent CAQ candidate Sylvain Levesque.
According to recent projections on QC125, Duhaime is trailing Levesque by about 6 per cent support. With advanced polling set to begin Sunday, Duhaime returned to the riding to rally his base.
“I want to speak to the voters of Chauveau to ask them to support the Conservative Party of Quebec,” he said. “We want to avoid, at all costs, this electoral distortion of the century.”
That “distortion” refers to the projected disconnect between Conservative support and the likelihood that it will translate into election wins.
Duhaime has led his party out of relative obscurity over the course of the campaign. In terms of popular support, the Conservatives are frequently put in second place by pollsters, behind the CAQ.
Saturday night polls put the Conservatives at a deadlock 15 per cent support with Quebec Solidaire and the Quebec Liberals.
However, unlike those other parties, Conservative support is unlikely to result in double-digit seat victories.
Based on vote distribution, Liberals were projected to pick up between 12 and 23 seats Saturday. Quebec Solidaire could count on between five and 15.
As for the Conservatives, zero to five.
“It’s important that we are represented at the National Assembly,” said Duhaime.
Quebec Conservative Leader Eric Duhaime waves to the supporters at a party rally Friday, September 23, 2022 in Levis Que. Quebecers are going to the polls for a general election on Oct. 3. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Jacques Boissinot
PUBLICITY WITHOUT BORDERS
The party also turned heads in Quebec, and likely south of the border, for a recent paid article in support of the party appearing in USA Today – a popular American news outlet.
The article, entitled "Éric Duhaime, leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec, on taxes" described Quebec households as “among the most taxed in the world,” and added that “a fiscally responsible government could increase the disposable income for more than 90% percent of Quebec taxpayers overnight.”
Duhaime’s media relations officer told CTV the article was part of an international publicity package purchased from a marketing firm.
The article, which was published in English, also offered an American audience some backstory into the Quebec candidate.
“Duhaime learned about finances from his parents. ‘They were entrepreneurs at heart, they taught me the value of money'," it read. "'I grew up to be even more disciplined than they were'.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.