Quebec Liberal Party 'has no reason to exist,' says Francois Legault
Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) Leader François Legault argued during Thursday night's debate that the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) has no reason to exist.
Legault had pointed out that the PLQ no longer has a "monopoly of being against sovereignty."
"I can't believe it," said Parti Québécois (PQ) Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon in a press briefing. "He's saying, 'Not only am I a federalist, but I've taken away your monopoly on action against sovereigntists.' He says this after repeated failures with the federal government."
Legault argued the Liberals were no longer the only party capable of proposing a project for a society within Canada.
"Our party proposes more autonomy within Canada, and I believe that the Liberal Party no longer has a reason to exist because of that," he said.
Several statements made by the CAQ leader raised eyebrows on Thursday.
Liberal leader Dominique Anglade maintained that Legault continues "to feed the fear of 'the other'" regarding immigration.
"Every time he talks about immigration, he talks to us about a threat, about Louisianization, he feeds this fear of 'the other' in a systematic way," she said. "That's how he thinks, and it's reflected in his words."
For his part, Legault said, as incumbent premier, he expected to be the target of every attack.
In addition to announcing the death of the PLQ, the CAQ leader spotlighted a plan by Québec Solidaire (QS) to reduce greenhouse gases, calling it "unrealistic."
Meanwhile, QS co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois insisted his party is the only alternative to the CAQ.
"There are two visions that clash in this election," he said, accusing Legault of lacking ambition. "François Legault's favourite word is impossible. Every time we propose ambitious projects. He answers that it is impossible. It is always too hard for François Legault."
For his part, Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ) Leader Éric Duhaime was once again confronted with his unpaid tax bills.
However, the question didn't come from his opponents but TVA moderator Pierre Bruneau, who asked if he would manage Quebec like he manages his personal finances.
"Nobody is perfect," Duhaime insisted.
Thursday's debate focused on three themes: the environment, quality of life and the economy; health, family and education; and immigration, language and identity.
Friday, the leaders are once again fanning out across Quebec on the campaign trail.
Quebecers are being called to the polls on Oct. 3.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Sept. 16, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.