Coalition Avenir Québec

Coalition Avenir Québec
Leader François Legault
President Vacant
Founded 4 November 2011 (2011-11-04)[1]
Merger of Action démocratique du Québec
Headquarters 4020, rue Saint-Ambroise
Bureau 499
Montreal, Quebec H4C 2C7
Ideology Quebec nationalism[2]
Quebec autonomism[3]
Canadian federalism[4]
Fiscal conservatism[5]
Conservatism[6]
Political position Centre-right[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
Colours Blue[15]
Seats in the National Assembly
74 / 125
Website
www.coalitionavenirquebec.org

The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ; pronounced [kɔ.a.li.sjɔ̃ av.niʁ ke.bɛk], "Coalition for Quebec's Future") is a centre-right to right-wing Quebec nationalist and autonomist provincial political party in Quebec, Canada.

It was founded by former Parti Québécois (PQ) cabinet minister François Legault and businessman Charles Sirois; Legault also serves as the party leader. The party membership includes both Quebec nationalists and federalists. Legault has said it will never endorse a referendum on sovereignty, but more autonomy if necessary.

Not long after its formation, the party gained nine sitting Members of the National Assembly of Quebec (MNAs) who had been elected as members of the PQ and of the Action démocratique du Québec (ADQ); the ADQ later merged with the CAQ in January 2012.[16] The party is registered with the Director-General of Elections in Quebec under the name Coalition Avenir Québec – L'équipe François Legault (Coalition Avenir Quebec – Team François Legault).[1]

Members and supporters of the party are referred to as "caquistes", derived from the French pronunciation of the party's initials. However, the party had requested that the term "coalisés" be used instead.[17]

On 1 October 2018 the CAQ won a majority of seats in the National Assembly of Quebec.[18]

History

Foundation and 2012 provincial election

In February 2011, François Legault and Charles Sirois held a press conference to announce the formation of a movement to be known as the "Coalition pour l'avenir du Québec",[19] literally Coalition for Quebec's Future.

Logo used before official party launch on 14 November 2011.

In September 2011, the CAQ began discussions with the ADQ on the possibility of a merger between the two groups.[20]

On 14 November 2011, Legault held a press conference to launch the movement as a political party under the slightly modified name of Coalition Avenir Québec, unveiling a new logo at the same time.[21] The actual registration of the party with the Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec had already taken place on 4 November.[1]

On 13 December 2011, the coalition and the ADQ announced an agreement in principle to merge, pending final approval with the ADQ membership.[22]

On 19 December 2011, two former PQ MNAs (Benoit Charette, Daniel Ratthé) and two former ADQ MNAs (Éric Caire and Marc Picard) who had earlier left their respective parties to sit as independents announced that they were joining the CAQ.[23][24]

In January 2012, PQ MNA François Rebello switched party affiliation to the CAQ, becoming its fifth sitting member.[25]

On 21 January 2012, the results of the ADQ's mail-in vote were announced: of the 54% of members who voted, 70% approved the merger with the CAQ. The ADQ's four remaining MNAs -- Sylvie Roy of Lotbinière, Janvier Grondin of Beauce-Nord, François Bonnardel of Shefford, and leader Gérard Deltell of Chauveau—joined the CAQ, boosting its caucus to nine.[26][27]

On 23 January 2012, the CAQ announced its first president, Dominique Anglade, who would also be a candidate for the party in the next election.[28]

On 5 August 2012, Jacques Duchesneau, the whistleblower behind Quebec's anti-corruption unit, announced his candidacy for the riding of Saint-Jérôme in the 2012 provincial election.[29] He won the MNA seat.

On 4 September 2012, the CAQ won 19 seats in the 2012 provincial election.[16]

2014 provincial election

First party logo.

In the 2014 provincial election held on 7 April, the CAQ won 22 seats, a gain of three seats.[16] The TVA-sponsored second televised debate was noted as a turning point in the campaign and party leader François Legault's performance reflected positively on the CAQ's standing. Therefore, early voting results revealed a disastrous outcome for the party, while ballots cast on Election Day were much more favourable.[30]

Also, overall returns marked a significant geographic shift in the CAQ electoral base. In the Capitale-Nationale area, reputed for its conservative leanings and the influence of its talk-radio hosts, the Quebec Liberal Party won four of the six seats previously held by the CAQ. A strategic vote of the anti-PQ electorate,[31] as well as a pledge by Legault to spend no public money on projects dear to Mayor Régis Labeaume, such as the construction of a $97.5 million covered ice rink, the completion of the $60 million theatre Le Diamant, promoted by Robert Lepage, and the $20 million revitalization of the French colonial era new barracks,[32] are possible causes for the backlash.

The CAQ losses in the Capitale-Nationale area were largely compensated with a significant breakthrough in the "450 area" (Laurentides, Lanaudière and Montérégie), where it ended up with seven more seats.

Meanwhile, the CAQ support in Chaudière-Appalaches and Centre-du-Québec remained steady.

After 2014 provincial election

On 15 August 2014, CAQ MNA for Lévis Christian Dubé resigned his seat to take a job at the Caisse de dépôt et placement.[33]

The subsequent 20 October 2014 by-election was won by François Paradis with 47% of the popular vote.[34]

Following much speculation, Gérard Deltell announced on 7 April 2015, that he would be running for the federal Conservative Party of Canada in the riding of Louis-Saint-Laurent in the upcoming 2015 federal election. His resignation as MNA for Chauveau took effect the same day.[35]

On 26 August 2015, CAQ MNA Sylvie Roy resigned to sit as an independent following personal issues with party leadership.[36]

On 2 October 2017, Geneviève Guilbault won a byelection in the riding of Louis-Hébert that had been long-held by the Quebec Liberal Party, winning over 51 per cent of the vote.[37]

2018 Quebec provincial election

On 1 October 2018 the CAQ won 74 seats, a gain of 53 seats when compared to their performance in 2014, and formed a majority government in the province. This marked the first time since the 1966 election, which was won by the now defunct Union Nationale, that a party other than the Quebec Liberals or the Parti Québécois would form government in Quebec.[38]

Policies

The party describes itself as of neither the left nor the right: it is not particularly economically conservative, with economic policies similar to the Quebec Liberal Party and social policies to their right.[39] However, its politics have been described in the press as centre-right by Quebec standards.[40][41][42][43][44][45]

The party proposes government investment in education and partial decentralization of the healthcare system. They promise "to further develop the entrepreneurial culture in Québec" and provide government resources for the private sector. The party also supports austerity "to provide the government with the flexibility it needs to adapt to the ongoing changes in the economy"; one measure specifically mentioned is leaving 6,000 open Hydro-Québec employment positions unfilled.[46]

The party supports abolishing school boards and increasing the autonomy of principals and their governing boards.[47]

Although the party does not support independence, it advocates Quebec nationalism.[46] On 10 April 2014, the party stated that it would never hold a referendum on leaving Canada: "[There] will never be a referendum for the life of the coalition even after 10 years, even after 20 years, so that's clear. And I was clear but people understood something else."[48] François Legault also pointed out that "Once it is clear that there will never be a referendum with the Coalition Avenir Québec, the anglophones and allophones, who don't want a referendum, have to understand that we offer an alternative to the Liberals."[49] However, Legault has stated "aggressive[ly]" that a CAQ government would not repeal Bill 101.[50]

The party is critical of equalization payments and plans to remove Quebec from receiving equalization payments.[51]

According to the party, Quebec is defined by "its historical heritage, the French language, its democratic ideals and the principles of the secularity of the State, and equality among men and women".[46] The Party supported the Quebec ban on face covering but also argue the ban is not extensive enough.[52] They propose to prohibit the wearing of religious symbols by personnel in a position of authority, including teachers.[53] The party supports multiculturalism insofar as to "integrate newcomers". This includes limiting immigration and promoting the use of French without creating new barriers.[46] In 2018, it proposed cutting the number of immigrants by 20 per cent, to 40,000 annually.[54]

Election results

Election Leader Votes % of popular vote # of seats won Change +/– Position Government
2012 François Legault 1,180,235 27.05
19 / 125
 Increase 12 Steady 3rd Third Party
2014 François Legault 975,607 23.05
22 / 125
 Increase 3 Steady 3rd Third Party
2018 François Legault 1,509,427 37.42
74 / 125
 Increase 52 Increase 1st Majority


House Leaders

MNA Years of Service
Gérard Deltell 2012–2014
François Bonnardel 2014–present

House Whips

MNA Years of Service
Daniel Ratthé 2012–2013
François Bonnardel 2013–2014
Donald Martel 2014–present

Party Presidents

President Years of Service
Dominique Anglade 2012–2013
Maud Cohen 2013–2014
Stéphane Le Bouyonnec 2014–2018

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Coalition avenir Québec". Directeur général des élections du Québec. Retrieved 2012-02-04.
  2. ↑ "A NEW NATIONALIST PROJECT".
  3. ↑ "Quebec election: CAQ victory proves separatism is no longer a major issue". The Guardian
  4. ↑ "Macpherson: Coalition Avenir Québec bids to be federalist alternative" Montrealgazette.com
  5. ↑ "How right-wing is the Coalition Avenir Quebec?". Montreal.ctvnews.ca
  6. ↑ "No more politics as usual in Quebec — and its industrial heartland may be the reason why". Cbc.ca
  7. ↑ Dominique Auzias; Jean-Paul Labourdette; Collectif (2013). Québec 2013-2014 Petit Futé (avec cartes, photos + avis des lecteurs). Petit Futé. p. 35. ISBN 2-7469-6808-8.
  8. ↑ Collectif; Dominique Auzias; Jean-Paul Labourdette (2013). Ville de Québec 2013-2014 Petit Futé (avec cartes, photos + avis des lecteurs). Petit Futé. p. 28. ISBN 2-7469-6207-1.
  9. ↑ Kristin M. Bakke (2015). Decentralization and Intrastate Struggles: Chechnya, Punjab, and Québec. Cambridge University Press. p. 211. ISBN 978-1-316-30043-5.
  10. ↑ Philippe Van Parijs; Yannick Vanderborght (2017). Basic Income: A Radical Proposal for a Free Society and a Sane Economy. Harvard University Press. p. 303. ISBN 978-0-674-05228-4.
  11. ↑ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-quebec-election-results-legault-caq-explainer/
  12. ↑ "What Can We Expect From Quebec's New Right-Wing Government?". VICE. 2018-10-02. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  13. ↑ Proulx, Boris (2018-09-14). "Ford Nation front and centre in Quebec leaders' debate". Ipolitics.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  14. ↑ Andy Riga (2018-08-28). "Quebec election notebook: Massé tops on Google, but CAQ party of choice". The Province. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  15. ↑ Martin Croteau (5 April 2014). "Une "vague arc-en-ciel" lundi, avance Legault". La Presse. Retrieved 2014-04-05.
  16. 1 2 3 Tom Lansford, ed. (March 2015). Political Handbook of the World 2015. SAGE Publications. p. 1061. ISBN 978-1-4833-7155-9.
  17. ↑ Gilbert Lavoie (3 November 2011). "Coquetterie caquiste..." Cyberpresse.ca. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  18. ↑ "Quebec elects a CAQ majority government, CBC News projects | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  19. ↑ "Francois Legault unveils Coalition for the Future". CTV. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  20. ↑ Lessard, Denis (7 September 2011). "Fusion de l'ADQ et de la CAQ: Deltell pressé par son parti". La Presse (in French). Québec. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  21. ↑ "New Quebec political party makes statement with logo". CTV. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  22. ↑ "CAQ officially merging with ADQ". CTV. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  23. ↑ "Quatre élus indépendants se rallient à la CAQ". Radio-Canada (in French). 19 December 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  24. ↑ White, Marianne (19 December 2011). "New party boots its ranks with four new members". Canada.com.
  25. ↑ Philip Authier (13 January 2012). "Pauline Marois blasts former PQ MNA Francois Rebello". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  26. ↑ Canadian Press (22 January 2012). "Coalition for Quebec's Future, ADQ finalize merger". CTV News. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  27. ↑ Biggs, XiBit (22 January 2012). "Merger uniting new Coalition for Quebec's Future with ADQ a done deal". Global News. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  28. ↑ Kevin Dougherty (23 January 2012). "CAQ leader François Legault shows off party executive, 'ideal candidate'". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  29. ↑ Canadian Press (5 August 2012). "Quebec anti-corruption crusader Duchesneau confirms run for CAQ". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  30. ↑ "La CAQ désormais "incontournable", selon Legault". lapresse.ca/. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  31. ↑ "La CAQ blâme le mouvement "anybody but Pauline"". lapresse.ca/le-soleil. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  32. ↑ "La CAQ paie pour avoir refusé d'endosser les projets de Québec, dit Labeaume". lapresse.ca/le-soleil. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  33. ↑ Authier, Philip (15 August 2014). "CAQ heavyweight Christian Dubé leaving politics". The Gazette. Archived from the original on 16 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  34. ↑ Vendeville, Geoffrey (21 October 2014). "CAQ holds the fort in Lévis byelection". The Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  35. ↑ "Gérard Deltell jumps into federal politics with Conservatives". CBC News. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  36. ↑ "Sylvie Roy quits CAQ to sit as independent". CTV News. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  37. ↑ "Coalition for Quebec's Future captures Louis-Hebert riding in byelection". The Chronicle-Journal. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  38. ↑ "Francois Legault's CAQ wins majority in Quebec election, ends nearly 50 years of two-party rule". National Post. 2018-10-02. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  39. ↑ Jonathan Montpetit The Canadian Press (10 August 2012). "How right-wing is the Coalition Avenir Quebec?". Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  40. ↑ "Francois Legault unveils Coalition for the Future". CTV Montreal. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  41. ↑ Ljunggren, David (14 November 2011). "New Quebec party could marginalize separatists". Reuters. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  42. ↑ Ljunggren, David (14 June 2011). "The PQ falls on its separatist message". National Post. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  43. ↑ "Quebec unites its right". Winnipeg Sun. QMI Agency. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  44. ↑ "Legault's Coalition Avenir Quebec absorbs ADQ". CTV Montreal. 2012-01-22. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  45. ↑ "Jean Charest: Quebec Premier Eyeing 2013 Election". Huffingtonpost.ca. 2012-01-09. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  46. 1 2 3 4 "TAKING ACTION FOR THE FUTURE — Action plan presented by the Coalition pour l'avenir du Québec" (PDF). 14 November 2011.
  47. ↑ "La CAQ relance sa promesse d'abolir les commissions scolaires | Hugo Pilon-Larose | Politique québécoise". La Presse (in French). 2018-01-17. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
  48. ↑ "Francois Legault says CAQ would 'never' hold a referendum". ctvnews.ca. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  49. ↑
  50. ↑ "François Legault finds that Bill 101 and business don't (...) - Vigile.Québec". vigile.net. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  51. ↑ "Quebec without equalization? - Macleans.ca". Macleans.ca. 2017-11-22. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  52. ↑ "Quebec's ban on face-coverings risks inflaming inter-communal tensions". The Economist.
  53. ↑ "What we've learned so far about the incoming CAQ government - CBC News". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  54. ↑ "Here are the priorities of Quebec's new CAQ government | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2018-10-02.

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