One evening that will
be left in the memories of Quebec citizens is indeed September 4th
2012, which gave the province their first female premier; the youngest depute
in the National Assembly, but did not end without a tragic event to remind us
of an era in turmoil.
(Marois seen here during the election campaign with Bureau-Blouin)
The results remained close
from the beginning, with the Parti Québécois remaining neck and neck with the
Liberal Party. Despite a minority government, 74% of voters participated, a
strong difference compared to only 57% in 2008.
At about 9:00 p.m.
bursts of joy arose from the Metropolis where PQ supporters were gathered when
their party was officially announced as the new government. The race remained sealed
until the end, but not without major change.
For the first time
ever, the Quebec government will have a woman as premier. Many mothers who are
head of households and other female politicians such as Québec Solidaire’s
Francoise David were overjoyed, since women in politics have difficulty being
seen as equal to their male counterparts.
Also, the younger
generation has a new voice added, as former president of Fédération
étudiante
collégiale
du Québec (FECQ) Léo Bureau-Blouin was elected as depute in the
Laval-des-Rapides riding at only 20 years old, looking emotional at the
announcement of his victory. He worked as a major part of the student movement
for two years and wants to be an example to encourage younger people into
politics.
His decision didn’t
come as a shock. When his mandate as FECQ president ended in June,
many speculated his charisma would one day land him in politics- but was not
expected so soon. He plans to continue studying law part-time in university
while balancing his position.
Francoise David, who
impressed many on the debates of August 19th, will be sitting next
to her QS colleague Amir Kadir in the National Assembly.
The situation is a
contrast compared to four years earlier, when Jean Charest had sought a
majority. At the time, only 1 in 3 people 18-24 had voted. This year’s
elections were quite different and saw a higher participating level from the
age group considering the student strike, though estimations are not yet in.
However after 28 years
as leader in the Sherbrooke district and Premier since 2003, Liberal leader Jean
Charest was voted out by almost 3,000 votes in his own riding, and was replaced
by PQ candidate Serge Cardin. The Liberal party quickly saw themselves defeated
as the opposition after nine years as government.
(Charest with his wife after his speech September 4th)
This morning, Jean
Charest announced he would step down from politics as to avoid bad blood in the
newly elected assembly.
As Marois stepped to
the microphone and began giving her speech, the entire audience and viewers at
home were awestruck as her bodyguards whisked her off the stage. Minutes later,
RDI declared shots were heard outside.
A 62-year-old man named
Richard Bain was armed with an AK-47 and attempted to break into the Metropolis
by setting the back door on fire. It took seconds for him to be caught by
police. Two people were shot, leaving one dead.
“It is a tragic day
where an exercise of democracy is met with an act of violence,” said Prime
Minister Harper, which left a bitter taste in some people’s mouths since the
Federal Government abolished the gun registry in 2011 against Quebec’s will.
The attacker’s words as
police dragged him away; “The English are waking up,” making everyone shudder.
With grace, despite
refusal from her guards, Marois insisted on giving a speech with her fellow
candidates by her side, addressing both Francophones and Anglophones by
reminding us, we “share the same history.”
“…to the families of
Quebec, to the youth of Quebec, to the elderly of Quebec. […] We will respect
the mandate you gave us.”
At 63 years old, Marois
has a long career that spans over thirty years, with 15 ministerial positions
including minister of education and minister of finances. She is now the first
“première ministre” and understands the heavy neglected workload the Charest
government has left behind.
With 2012 as the year
of a much needed wind of change in Quebec, opening to a new era, that brought
the longest student strike in North America and three of the largest protests
in history, only time will tell what the next chapter will read in our lively
province.
Marois will officially
be sworn in as Quebec Premier in ten days’ time.
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