The October 3 departure of outgoing Rimouski MP Harold Lebel from political life leaves many of his supporters in a dilemma. PQ, CAQ and QS have a pretty tight three-way battle, but a tour on the spot shows an orange bias.
The riding has belonged to the Parti Québécois since 1994, and Harold Lebel had won a majority of 6,000 votes in 2018 before being expelled from the faction on sexual assault charges.
Countless times on this beautiful, windy Saturday on the banks of the river, the townsfolk approach and declare that they voted “for Harold” last time, and that they would have voted “for him” had it not been for the circumstances would be.
André, in his sixties, doesn’t know who to target for the first time in his life.
“If it had been Harold, I would have voted for the man. I’m a Separatist, but I won’t vote for PQ just for that.
Since he will be leaving the country on the day the primary begins, he may not have to make a choice, which would ease his conscience.
When asked if he’d be upset if Quebec’s PQ were swept away to all but a borough or two, he seems to have gotten used to the idea already.
“Well, the idea of independence will definitely remain. Maybe one day another party will do it.”
For his part, an employee of the Cantine de la Gare, a local institution, Yvan, 44, shows his unconditional support for the PQ.
“I’ve always been for them, that doesn’t change, because for me it’s important, sovereignty, language.”
A QS trend
Around Halles St-Germain, a majority of those I debate with support or contemplate QS and its candidate Carol-Ann Kack.
“For all their proposals, for social democracy, and that is the only possible opposition,” Jean-Pierre, 67, told me.
Wall-Mart executive Jean-François, 50, ex-PQ, concerned about healthcare in the context of an aging population, leans toward solidarity this time because GND “is the one that inspires the most confidence.”
A 28-year-old biology master’s student and her boyfriend, a construction worker who will support QS, also met in the park.
“He canceled his election in 2018, but I convinced him,” she says with a smile.
Three striking SQDC employees also unanimously plead for solidarity, even if they are not attracted to the independence project.
Among PQ loyalists, Diane, 58, does not share René Lévesque’s pessimistic predictions about the party’s future and will vote for Samuel Ouellet, Harold Lebel’s former political attaché, who is trying to succeed him.
“I’m pretty confident. I spoke to my nephews who go to university after the debate and they are also lining up for the PQ, I have hope.
With the CAQ
And the Caquistes, who are banking on the candidacy of former mayor of Ste-Luce Maïté Blanchette Vézinas, still have their share of support.
François Legault’s party is attracting the sympathy of many, especially for its handling of the pandemic.
“I think they did well, even if people don’t judge badly. I liked what Mr. Legault did enough to give him another four years,” summarizes Josélito, a 44-year-old telecommunications engineer.
Arriving at the entrance of Carrefour Rimouski, an employee of the Ford dealership, wearing a sweater with the extravagant Mustang logo, makes the same speech and is satisfied with the CAQ.
“It wasn’t easy with the Covid and they still managed well,” he tells me while his girlfriend also nods.
Out of the dozens of people I’m asking, only one mentions a possible vote for the Quebec Liberal Party.
One lady in her 60s with good judgment tells me her choice will stop at “Anglade or Nadeau-Dubois” because “Legault is a two of spades and Duhaime is a big zero”.
The other meetings
Some conservatives
Over the course of my chance encounters, two people have shown their support for Éric Duhaime’s PCQ, including Julie, a 41-year-old insurance broker who was disappointed with the CAQ she voted for in 2018.
“I thought they were right-wing, but it wasn’t, they governed for the Boomers,” begins the man who also votes for the Conservatives at the federal level.
“I’ve always been in favor of less government, more individual responsibility, then I pay too much in taxes and duties for the services we receive,” she explains confidently.
She in turn asks me about the trend emerging from my informal survey.
“This seems to be QS, I don’t understand it,” the young woman sighs.
Grateful to Legault
Edmond approaches me, leaning on a cane, noticing me asking passersby their October 3rd vote.
“I voted for Harold, but there will be CAQ because they really did their best under difficult circumstances,” blows the likeable 75-year-old.
“You think it deserves to be given another chance?”
“It deserves thanks,” he replies tit for tat.
It will be his turn
A teacher, a disaffected separatist, says he will not vote this year.
“In 2018 I voted for Harold Lebel because I wanted to do my civic duty and he was our man. But there, no, I’m not going to vote for PQ or for the others,” says Robin, 56.
He regrets that several parties are promising tax cuts while the quality of services is declining.
“And QS, which would add taxes to fund a sea of projects… no, I got out.”
Rimouski in brief
Photo by Rémi Nadeau
The river bank in Rimouski
Number of voters: 46.161
Result 2018
- PQ 44%
- CAQ 25%
- QA 17%
- PLQ 12%
*Members of the Parti Québécois have been elected there without interruption since 1994
