Quebec elects CAQ majority government, Liberals see historic losses

Coalition Avenir Qubec, a right-of-centre party that has never held power,will form a majority government in Quebec, dealing a historic blow to the incumbent Liberals.

In a rowdy victory speech, premier-designate FranoisLegaultsaid voters had finally set aside the divisive battle over sovereignty that has consumed provincial politics for the last 50 years.

"Today, we have made history," he said."There are many Quebecers who have demonstrated that it is possible to have yesterday's adversaries work together, to work for the Quebec of tomorrow, together."

The election also saw major lossesfor the pro-independencePartiQubcois at the hands of another emerging party,QubecSolidaire. The PQ's leader,Jean-FranoisLise, resigned after losing his seat.

TheCAQ, which promises to lower taxes, privatize some aspects of the health-care systemand cut the number of immigrants, capitalized on an appetite for change among Quebec voters.

The Liberals had held power for the past 15 years, with the exception of a briefPQminority government.

Founded in 2011, the CAQ was the favourite heading into the campaign, though Legaultstumbled badly at times, particularly whenpressed to explain his controversial plan to cut the number of immigrants accepted by the province.

But he regained momentum in the final week of the campaign, much of which he spent in the regions outside Montreal, where he enjoys broad supportamong keyfrancophonevoters.

Speaking in English, he said, "I want to assure you that my government will be your government."

Watch Legaultaddress English Quebecers:

Quebec's premier-designate Franois Legault speaks to anglophones.

6 years ago

Duration 0:22

The CAQ leader switched to English during his election night speech.

TheCAQwon 74 ridings while the Liberals were elected in 32. Sixty-three is requiredfor a majority.

But they won only two seats on the island ofMontreal.

Legault, who has proposed building new suburban roads, has not always seen eye to eye with the city's mayor,ValriePlante, who took power last year on a promise to improve public transit.

TheCAQhad 37.7per cent of the popular vote,the lowest amount in Quebec history for a party that won a majority.

The Liberals got only24.7per cent, a historic low for theparty. Since Confederation, the Liberals have always obtained at least 30 per cent of the vote.

Couillardmullshis future

Philippe Couillard'sLiberalscampaigned on their strong economic record and a promise to improve the everyday lives ofQuebecers.

But they were criticizedfor thedeep cuts to education and health care made in the first two years of their mandate as they wrestled to balance the budget.

In his concession speech, Couillard, who retained his own seat in Lac-Saint-Jean,saidhe would take a few days toreflect on his political future.

"Quebecers clearly expressed a desire for change," he said."I wish for [Legault's] government all the success that Quebec deserves.

"Despite our significant differences in opinion, we are all Quebecers. We must remain united."

Couillardadded that he was proud of his government's record, and that "we did what we said we would do."

Speaking in English, he said, "English is not a foreign language. You have always been among us, part of us, part of our history."

Watch: Couillardurges Quebec to remain united.

Outgoing premier Philippe Couillard stresses unity for Quebecers under CAQ government.

6 years ago

Duration 0:51

Quebec's outgoing premier delivers his election night speech.

Gains for QubecSolidaire

The PQ won just nine seats and only 17per cent of the popular vote.Those numbers aren't enoughto maintain official party status in Quebec.

The question of whether Quebec should become independent didn't figure prominently in the campaign for the first time in decades.

With support for sovereignty waning, the PQ said during the campaign it would put off holding a referendum until a second mandate.

But the party lost votes to another sovereignist party, the smaller, left-wing Qubec Solidaire, led by two popular"co-spokespeople,"ManonMassand Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.

Liselost his own Montreal riding of Rosemont toQubecSolidaire's Vincent Marissal.

QubecSolidairewon 10 ridings, more than triplingits seat count.QubecSolidaire's platform,which includes a series of bold environmental proposals, is particularly popular among young voters.

In her speech, Massurged the CAQto take action to fight climatechange.

"We told you all campaignabout the environment. It's now or never," she said.

When the election was called, the Liberals held 68 seats, the PQ held 28, the CAQ 21 and Qubec Solidaire three, along with five independents in the province's 125-seat National Assembly.