Quebecers Elect a Liberal Majority Government

Liberal Premier-Elect Philippe Couillard defeated former PQ Premier Pauline Marois who called a snap election when polls seemed to be giving her party a majority and a number of events over the past few weeks helped to change the course of history, resulting in a strong Liberal government and the worst PQ results since its days as third party under Andre Boisclair.

As soon as Marois's star candidate Pierre Karl Peladeau raised his fist to Quebec separation, the PQ began to scatter, losing its narrative and now, losing the election. An election that grew more vulgar as the days went on showed a more desperate PQ leader realizing the political mistake made by her miscalculation and lack of patience. "Determined" was her slogan and stubbornness was her legacy, as is the worst seat count since 1989 and the worst public support since 1970. This legacy has cost her her seat, her job and has lead her to resign as leader of the Parti Quebecois.

Winning because of the student protests and fatigue of the corruption-plagued Charest government before it in September 2012, just 18 months ago, Marois steadily waded the waters of a minority government where ex-PQ turned CAQ leader Francois Legault guaranteed the passage of the controversial bills which came to haunt the PQ during the campaign.

The Charter of Values was supposed to be the uniting call for a PQ majority and quickly became plagued for its unfairness and the political calculations behind it. When Janette Bertrand came to prop up the charter, saying rich Muslim McGill students would steal her rights of her private swimming pool, it ended the game. Bertrand added insult to injury to a campaign that stooped to the levels of crying wolf about so-called outsiders trying to steal the election, and hate-driven politics.

The economy and referendum talk became the top of the agenda, neither of which favoring the PQ.

It's been a long 18 months filled with language controversy, identity division and poor economic management - all in the name of political calculations.

PQ leader Pauline Marois herself was in a tight fight for her political life, losing to Liberal star candidate Caroline Simard in Charlevoix-Côte-de-Beaupré. Leo-Bureau Blouin and Martine Desjardins, former student leaders in 2012 both lost their PQ bids. As the dust settles on what is left of the PQ, star candidate and expected leadership hopeful Pierre Karl Peladeau has won Saint-Jerome.

Couillard won his gamble in PQ heartland Roberval as a Liberal wave came as a response to the negative and hate-filled political landscape the PQ tried to build. Funny enough, for sale signs also got removed with the win. In his victory speech, Couillard focused heavily on bringing people together and reconciling the severe societal divisions caused by the former PQ government.

A race that was destined to be a sure-win for the PQ became a train wreck that could leave the party in an identity crisis and back to its history of internal infighting and instability. Quebecers have spoken and for the next 4 years, they want a Liberal government. Quebecers have sent a strong message: the economy is their first priority and they won't tolerate the xenophobic, prejudice and hate-filled nature of the PQ. For those that don't know what that entails, you can read this platform comparison which features a summary of the Liberal platform. Below, you will find the final results.

Seat Distribution

Party Seats Trend Seat Change Sep '12
702050
302454
22418
312
Election Results, April 7, 2014. Total Seats: 125.
Seats Needed For Majority: 63

Voter Intentions

Party Current Trend Apr 7 Trend Sept '12
41.4%40.1%31.2%
25.4%26.9%31.9%
23.5%22.8%27.1%
7.4%7.9%6%
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