Thousands of Quebec youth voted in a mock election to choose a new premier. It wasn't Legault.
More than 100,000 youth voted in a mock Quebec election that put one of the five major political parties in power — and it wasn't François Legault's Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ).
Nearly 900 schools and youth organizations from across the province participated in the Elections Quebec "voters in training program," which allows minors to take the democratic process for a spin in a simulated election.
As it turns out, the government they envisioned is pretty different from the actual election outcomes, with Quebec solidaire forming the next government.
It should be noted that not every riding participated in the simulation to the same degree -- but the findings nevertheless provide a peek into the minds and wants of Quebec's younger citizens.
QUEBEC SOLIDAIRE WINS
If it were up to the 109,682 youth who participated in the mock election, it would be Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, co-spokesperson of Québec solidaire (QS) in the premier's seat.
Quebec solidaire received 26.35 per cent of the vote, with 50 candidates elected. In reality, those numbers were 15.43 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively.
Sixty-three seats are required for a majority government, meaning in this scenario, the left-wing party would form a minority at the National Assembly.
For context, Legault's CAQ won a whopping 90 seats in the actual election.
LIBERALS KEEP OPPOSITION STATUS
Like Quebec adults, Quebec youth made the Liberals the official opposition. However, Dominique Anglade's party fared much better among youngsters in terms of seat numbers, with 34 candidates elected rather than 21.
In the simulation, the Liberals scored second in the popular vote at 22.41 per cent. In the actual election, the Liberals came fourth 14.37 per cent, but were elected as the opposition nonetheless.
It's a reality that drew criticism from other parties, with some leaders calling for electoral reform. Quebec solidaire, for example, scored higher than the QLP in votes but has about half the seats.
CAQ COMES THIRD
The pretend vote did not result in a majority government for Francois Legault's party -- quite the opposite.
The CAQ received 20.38 per cent of votes, compared to its actual count of 40.98 per cent.
In addition, just 26 CAQ candidates were elected rather than 90.
CONSERVATIVES MAKE IT TO QUEBEC CITY
Despite winning 12.91 per cent of votes in the real election, not a single Conservative candidate was elected to the National Assembly.
But in a world where youth take the reigns, things might look a little different.
Éric Duhaime's party won 10 seats in the simulation, with 12.42 per cent of the vote.
VOTES DOWN, SEATS UP FOR PARTI QUEBECOIS
Paul St. Pierre Plamondon's Parti Québécois (PQ) earned fewer votes among youth at 10.93 per cent, compared to the actual 14.61 per cent.
However, the PQ nabbed fived seats instead of the actual three.
VOTER PARTICIPATION
It appears Quebec's minors were slightly more reluctant to cast their ballots compared to older generations.
Out of the 185,691 Quebec youth invited to participate in the mock election, 109,682 took part -- a voter turnout of 59.06 per cent.
By the time the polling stations closed for real on Oct. 3, that rate was 66.14 per cent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.