LONGUEUIL - Francois Legault continues to act and talk like a politician, even though he represents no official political party.
Legault continued his consultation tour for his Coalition pour l'avenir du Quebec by making a stop in Longueuil on Wednesday evening, drawing a crowd of roughly 300 people to exchange ideas on education, health, the economy and language.
But still, despite leading what looked like a political rally and holding a discussion about what sounded like a political platform, Legault insisted that the time is not right to turn his coalition into an actual political party.
"My target is not to win a personal popularity contest, it is to see real changes in Quebec," Legault said. "I don't care about who will make those changes, but I want to make sure that these changes are made in Quebec."
Among the changes Legault is proposing in education are eliminating school boards, passing the cost savings on to teachers with 20 per cent pay increases but also evaluating their work.
"I'm definitely interested in supporting Mr. Legault," said retired pitcher Chris Eustace. "From what I understand about his education plan, 100 per cent for sure because he's definitely on the right track."
Legault says the health care system doesn't work, but it's not for a lack of doctors. He wants family doctors to take on more patients - and to be paid more.
On the economy, Legault wants to stem the brain drain by encouraging young people to stay in Quebec and for the province to invest more in home-grown businesses.
And he's in favor of using the notwithstanding clause - if necessary - to further entrench the French language.
But he says it's time to move on from the federalist vs. separatist debate.
Even without an official party, polls show about a third of voters would support Legault over the Liberals or PQ.
"I like change because we're not moving at all," said Guy Pomerleau, a Napierville town councilor. "So we need to make a major shift or major change."
Legault's consultation tour will bring him to Montreal in three weeks. He'll then come up with an action plan based on what he's heard from Quebecers and a new political party could come soon after that.
