New Democratic Party (NDP) MPs used their discussions with activists in their political party during their party conference to shape their next election strategy in Quebec. Further attacks against the Bloc Québécois are expected.
Right at the start of the New Democrats’ big gathering, a high-ranking party official told reporters that more insults against bloc members were certain to be expected between now and the next parliamentary election.
This source requested anonymity during a media briefing so that he could speak more freely.
According to them, the NDP will try to demonstrate that the Bloc Québécois has achieved nothing in recent years and has no real record to present to voters.
NDP deputy leader Alexandre Boulerice gave a similar speech and even accused Yves-François Blanchet’s troops of simply repeating the demands of François Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) in Ottawa.
The bloc positions itself as a parrot of the CAQ […] on one package [de questions]let it be Law 21 [sur la laïcité de l’État], whether it is Roxham Road, whether it is temporary migrant workers, whether it is the third connection to Quebec. It seems like they are just there to repeat the same lines as François Legault.
According to Blanchet, the NDP is a parrot of the Liberals
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Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet. (archive photo)
Photo: The Canadian Press / Sean Kilpatrick
In his response to the X Network (formerly Twitter), Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet suggested that the NDP was acting as a parrot for Justin Trudeau’s Liberals.
Parrot for parrot, the NDP is the intimate partner in the Liberals’ suppression of Quebec, right? So.
In his opinion, the Bloc Québécois is in everyone’s sights since he is declared leader. He was a leader of his kind, argued Mr. Blanchet.
Mr. Boulerice, the only Quebec member in the current NDP caucus, believes the New Democrats can convince Quebecers to get behind them in the next election.
Jagmeet Singh’s party’s desire to make gains in La Belle Province has long been known, but in the last elections this desire was far from fulfilled.
When asked why he thought this was the right time, the Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie elected official replied that the NDP, unlike the Bloc Québécois, had a record to present to voters, even if it was just the results, who have given their statement of support and approval. Confidence in Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government has so far waned.
What has the bloc been up to with a minority government in Ottawa for two years? We can tell people, “You have access to the dentist if you make less than $70,000 a year. You deserve access to the dentist.” […] Thanks to the work of the NDP.” We forced the Liberals to do this.
The NDP appears to be sending a signal that it is already ready to go into battle with the bloc immediately.
deliver results
In his speech to delegates on Saturday, New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh shot an arrow at the Bloc Québécois.
While the bloc complains, Pierre Poilievre says his slogans and Justin Trudeau disappoints, the NDP is working to deliver results, he said.
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Jagmeet Singh at the NDP convention on October 14, 2023
Photo: The Canadian Press / Peter Powee
Asked about the attack, Mr Boulerice claimed that the criticism leveled by the NDP at bloc members would be refined over time, suggesting it would go beyond accusations of whining.
Quebec voters can also expect the New Democrats to increasingly criticize Environment Minister and Quebec MP Steven Guilbeault.
[Il devient] Environment Minister [et] approved the Bay du Nord project and then also gas and oil exploration off the coast of Newfoundland. […] “So you do one thing and then you do the opposite,” Mr. Boulerice explained.
The New Democrats hope that Quebecers, who normally tend to vote Liberals, will turn to the New Democrats.
4th place in a survey
However, the task may not be easy if one relies on a survey conducted by the Léger company, the results of which were published in September.
According to this poll conducted for the Journal de Montréal, the NDP ranks 4th in voting intentions in Quebec. He collected only 13% while the block members received 29%.
On this issue, Mr. Blanchet pointed out that the NDP has virtually no chance of making gains in Quebec. At least the conservatives are in the race, he joked.
The anonymous senior NDP official acknowledged it would be a challenge for the party to make gains in Quebec, but argued it was possible to win more seats in the Montreal region.
Regardless, Mr. Boulerice does not hide his desire to no longer be the only Quebec MP in the NDP caucus.
We have good hopes of making gains in the next Quebec elections. Next time you talk to me, I won’t be alone [assis] at that table, he said to the Canadian Press journalist who conducted the interview with him.
There will be maybe two, three, four, five, six. Thirty-two, if that’s possible! he concluded with a smile on his lips.
Currently, exactly 32 ridings in Quebec belong to the Bloc Québécois.