Election Briefs: Quebec NDP and CAQ Rising
CAQ Surge
The CAQ is within striking distance, according to a Leger Marketing/Journal de Montreal poll. The poll shows the PQ in the lead with 33% support, the Liberals at 28%, and the CAQ at 27%.
A Provincial NDP?
They won't be ready for this current election campaign, but expect a provincial wing of the New Democratic Party for Quebec's next election.
NDP leader Thomas Mulcair said the party intends to create a provincial cousin and run candidates in all 125 ridings.
The name "Nouveau parti démocratique du Québec" has been registered with Quebec's director general of elections.
Sovereignist Cred
Pauline Marois and Amir Khadir are clashing over sovereignty.
The PQ is criticizing Quebec Solidaire's position, saying it's less than hardline.
Khadir told CJAD 800 that the soviergnty option remains on the table if it is the will of Quebecers, but that there are other ways of achieving their goals.
Balancing the Books
There were budget promises today from both Jean Charest and Francois Legault.
The CAQ would reduce waste by $2.1-billion and invest $1.9-billion in education, health and tax breaks for middle class families.
They would balance the books in their first year in office and produce a $1.3-billion surplus by the end of their first mandate.
But with all the slashing, does Legault fear massive union protests? He said that he expects teachers to embrace further investment in the system....
Liberal promises would add up to $1.2-billion in their next mandate.
Charest pledged to spend $700-million on infrastructure and investments in Quebec City and Montreal.
No Debate for Option Nationale
A setback for Quebec's third sovereignist party, Option Nationale.
Quebec Superior court has rejected a request from leader Jean-Martin Aussant to be included in the televised debates.
Aussant says his exlusion is an injusitice to his party and to Quebec voters.
He points out that, like the CAQ, Option Nationale has no MNAs elected yet under that banner - so, according to the judge's rationale, they would have to be excluded as well.