Legault promises more affordable housing ahead of fall election campaign
Quebec Premier François Legault hasn't officially triggered the provincial election campaign, but he was out on Friday promising to build thousands of new social and affordable housing units if he's re-elected Oct. 3.
The leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec promised Wednesday to fund 11,700 new units over the next four years if his party wins a second term. Quebec, he said, will need 23,500 additional social and affordable housing units over the next 10 years.
"We took it upon ourselves, the CAQ, to evaluate the need for the next mandate at 11,700, so about half of what's needed over the next 10 years," he told reporters in Laval, Que., a Montreal suburb, accompanied by local candidates. Legault said his party would also subsidize rent for 7,200 housing units. He promised his party would spend $1.8 billion over the next four years to address the province's housing shortage.
The announcement was quickly criticized by opposition parties, who said the promise falls short of the real need.
Saul Polo, a Liberal member of the legislature who represents a Laval riding, said the province is missing 50,000 housing units.
"Just for the region of Laval, we're talking about 10,000 families that have housing needs. We have 1,300 families that are currently on waiting lists for social housing," he said in an interview.
Québec solidaire described the announcement as a "damp squib," given that 37,000 people are on waiting lists across the province.
While Legault has yet to announce an official start date for the fall election campaign, Quebec's main party leaders have been criss-crossing the province for weeks holding public appearances and naming candidates.
Recent polls suggest Legault's party has a commanding lead, with more than double the support of its nearest rival.
Legault said the unofficial campaign — which has started earlier than in previous election cycles — is a result of the province's fixed election date, but he said the party in power doesn't have an advantage.
"It's fair, because we all know that the general election will be Oct. 3," he said.
Other parties are also announcing candidates and making election promises, Legault said. "We can see it's not just the CAQ that's already in pre-election campaign."
The Liberal party revealed its platform in June, while the Conservative Party of Quebec is expected to officially launch its platform this weekend.
"It's up to each party to decide its strategy," Legault said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.