PQ pleading with Quebec Liberals for 'humility' as it seeks official party status
The Parti Québécois (PQ) is appealing to other political parties to grant them official party status, something that would give them more money and more visibility in the national assembly.
Following Monday night's election, they say the system is unfair, as other parties have also complained that the current electoral system is "broken" and is in need of an update.
The current rules state that a party needs at least 12 seats or 20 per cent of the vote but the PQ won only three seats on Oct. 3 and just under 14.61 per cent of the vote.
The PQ said it makes little sense that the Quebec Liberal Party got official party status even though the PQ got more votes — and a higher percentage of the vote — than the Liberals. The party is also deploring Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade for getting in the way of the separatist party from gaining the official status, and is calling on her to show some "introspection" and "humility."
After Monday's election, the Liberals got 591,077 votes (14.37 per cent of the vote) and 21 seats, whereas the PQ got 600,708 votes but won just three ridings. It harkens back to the old seats versus votes debate that was once again reignited after the 2022 election results came in.
"Given these results, we cannot accept that a party that got less votes than us considers itself legitimate to prevent us from representing more votes than them," said Pascal Bérubé, the PQ MNA for Matane-Matapédia, on Friday.
By comparison, Québec solidaire also got more votes than the Liberals — 634,535 votes or 15.43 per cent, according to Elections Quebec.
The breakdown of voter support for the major political parties in Quebec after the Oct. 3, 2022 election. (Source: Elections Quebec)
With official party status, the PQ would get about $1 million more to pay for things like additional national assembly staff, research staff, as well as more time in the Salon Bleu to ask questions.
Bérubé said the system is unfair.
"We can't stand this kind of system that doesn't count every vote in democracy. So the winner takes it all. If you win the seat, you have 100 [per cent] of the power. It cannot work that way anymore," he said Friday.
"And I feel like we're going to have this discussion sooner than later and we're going to be part of that discussion."
In order to be given official party status, MNAs in the national assembly would have to vote unanimously in favour of it. The PQ says for now, the Liberals are holding out.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
B.C. optometrist warns against trending eye colour change procedure
A medical procedure that can permanently change a person's eye colour may be trending on social media, but a B.C. optometrist is warning about the significant risks associated.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
An airplane passenger was spotted in an overhead bin. This was the reaction
Airplane overhead compartments. Home to luggage of all shapes and sizes, the odd coat or two, several duty-free bags, a fair bit of dust and… passengers?
WATCH Infectious disease expert warns measles 'a very real threat'
A Canadian epidemiologist is warning the measles presents a 'very real threat' to public health if Canada doesn't maintain a high vaccination rate.
Judge considers dismissing indictment against Alec Baldwin in fatal shooting of cinematographer
A New Mexico judge is considering Alec Baldwin's request to dismiss a grand jury indictment against him at a virtual court hearing Friday.
LIVE @ 11:30 MT Four 1970s homicides linked to serial killer, Alberta Mounties to reveal Friday
A dead serial sexual offender and killer has been linked to four homicides in the 1970s in Alberta, RCMP say.