Quebec’s political parties are gearing up for Day 6 of the campaign ahead of the Oct. 5 election. Key details: Follow along for the latest updates: CAQ candidate withdraws over inappropriate remarks Paul Dadie, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) candidate in the Ungava riding, has withdrawn his candidacy after making inappropriate remarks during a visit to an organization in the Chibougamau region. The Les Elles du Nord Women’s Centre said in a statement on Tuesday that Dadie showed up without an appointment at an activity intended to discuss the centre’s mission. During an exchange with the organization’s director, Dadie “questioned the centre’s policy of excluding men, the restriction of access to certain spaces to women only, and the fact that the organization does not hire men,” according to the statement. The former candidate also reportedly argued that “men, too, have a say ... regarding the realities experienced by women.” Dadie’s remarks reportedly created an “uncomfortable atmosphere of confrontation.” Outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette’s team was made aware of the incident, and a few hours after the centre’s statement was issued, she confirmed that his candidacy had been withdrawn and that he has apologized “to anyone who may have been hurt.” “Above all, I want to tell those affected that I understand they may have been offended and that behavior of this nature is unacceptable,” Fréchette said in a post on X. “Our team must live up to the expectations of the people of Quebec whom we aim to serve. This is a standard I will continue to uphold.” Just moments earlier, during a small gathering with supporters at a restaurant in Saint-Constant, Que., the CAQ leader had just introduced her 127th candidate, in Sanguinet, and boasted that she had now completed her team. On his page as a former candidate, Dadie stated that he had been “active in the Coalition Avenir Québec” for at least three years and described himself as a specialist in strategic planning and organizational development. The page has since been taken down. Joe Lofaro, CTVNewsMontreal.ca With files from Noovo Info and The Canadian Press Bloc Québécois defeat in Chicoutimi is ‘apples and oranges’: St-Pierre Plamondon PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is downplaying the Bloc Québécois defeat in the Chicoutimi—Le Fjord federal byelection Monday night. Liberal Daniel Gobeil won the federal by-election in what’s considered a separatist stronghold, while Bloc Québécois candidate Caroline Dubé finished second, far behind Gobeil. “I don’t necessarily have an interpretation,” St-Pierre Plamondon said on Tuesday when asked what it meant for the separatist movement. “There isn’t really a parallel to be drawn. (...) It’s really like comparing apples and oranges.” He said there’s no connection “between a federal riding and the fundamental choice a people or a government makes for four years across all of Quebec.” Citing internal polls, he said he was confident the PQ will win seats in Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean on Oct. 5. The region was swept by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) in 2022. “When Quebecers ask themselves, ‘Do we really want 12 years of the CAQ?’, the overwhelming majority answers no,” he argued. - Amy Luft, CTVNewsMontreal.ca with files from The Canadian Press ‘Not an option’: Mulcair blasts Quebec French-only voting materials Political analyst Tom Mulcair said Elections Quebec providing French-only voting documents with a QR code for English materials is “not an option” and that a legal challenge should get underway “immediately.” “The idea that somehow a QR code compensates for that is ridiculous -- it doesn’t,” he said. “It’s a constitutional obligation. It’s not an option, and it has to be corrected immediately.” Quebec flags ‘problematic’ countermeasures to Ottawa Quebec has told the federal government which elements it considers “problematic” in the economic sanctions imposed against the United States, CAQ leader Christine Fréchette said Tuesday. The countermeasures are being questioned by businesses themselves, she explained at a news conference in Saint-Zotique during the election campaign. Ottawa and Quebec are not on the same page when it comes to responding to the escalating trade war with Washington. The federal government is analyzing Quebec’s concerns and will make a decision afterward, the CAQ leader said. - The Canadian Press. Fréchette ‘desperately trying to save her own skin’: Milliard Liberal Leader Charles Milliard argues CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette is “desperately trying to save her own skin” by courting voters from other political parties. “One day, she’s trying to charm the PQ voters, the next day the Conservatives,” he said. “Now, she’s trying her luck with the Liberals this morning. I imagine it’ll be the Solidaires tomorrow.” Milliard argued the CAQ leader can’t say which option she would vote for in a potential referendum because she knows “it will hurt her in her attempt to convince the sovereignists.” “Clear-headed sovereignists should be careful, and federalists should come home,” the Liberal leader said. - The Canadian Press. Liberals’ affordable housing proposal Milliard continued his series of announcements on housing, promising a $1.5 billion investment to add 40,000 social and affordable housing units within five years if elected. “The goal is to deliver 10,000 units per year by the end of the term,” the Quebec Liberal Party stated in a press release. The Liberals say they want a “significant portion” of the units to be reserved for the most vulnerable populations, including “people experiencing homelessness, youth leaving the protection of child welfare services, seniors, students and second-stage housing for women who are victims of domestic violence.” - The Canadian Press. PQ follows PCQ’s lead to exempt used goods from sales tax To help Quebecers cope with the rising cost of living, the PQ is proposing to exempt used goods and cars from sales tax, the same proposal announced by the Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ) on Sunday. In a press release, the PQ pointed out that a Quebecer buying a used car for $28,000 would save $2,800 if the QST is eliminated. - The Canadian Press. ‘Disappointed’ Liberals should vote for CAQ: Fréchette After urging Quebecers fearful of a referendum to vote for the CAQ, Christine Fréchette is now appealing to Liberals who may be “disappointed” with leader Charles Milliard. Currently in second place in the polls, Fréchette is asking Liberal voters to consider her party to prevent a PQ victory, which could trigger a referendum on sovereignty. “I invite those who are already disappointed with the Liberal Party’s leadership to consider joining the CAQ,” she said. “I believe many have already done so. I think quite a few people have rallied behind us.” - The Canadian Press. Jean Lacroix: CAQ candidate in Sanguinet Jean Lacroix, a key player and advocate in the energy and environment sectors, has been announced as the CAQ’s candidate in Sanguinet. “Throughout my various roles, whether on boards of directors or at the helm of Coop and other organizations and companies, I have always had the same goal: to help make our world a better place,” he said. - Rachel Lau, CTV News Montreal digital journalist Fréchette denies three-tier school system There is no three-tier school system in Quebec, according to CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette, dismissing widespread perception that the education system perpetuates discrimination, with a private system for the privileged, a public system with specialized programs for high-achievers and a general track for everyone else. This comes after a study by Montreal Public Health argued that some students face financial barriers, even within the public system. Caroline Senneville, president of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), also pointed out that students in the public school system are four times less likely to attend university than those in the private system. “We have to call a spade a spade: this is a multi-tiered system,” she said. - The Canadian Press. Documents in French only Voters in Quebec will be receiving their information documents in French only this election, according to Elections Quebec. “Previously, Elections Quebec used French and English to inform electors about how they could exercise their right to vote,” the agency said. “It must now give priority to French due to the amendments that An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec (PDF – in French) made to the Charter of the French Language.” The agency notes that to help anglophone and allophone voters, the documents will include a QR code to “facilitate access to information in English” on the Elections Quebec website. - Rachel Lau, CTV News Montreal digital journalist QS on immigration Québec Solidaire wants to set the permanent immigration threshold at 70,000 per year, invest $100 million in French-language training, and restore the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) to its previous form. “What I’m proposing is an immigration model based on permanent immigration, a model that allows people to truly put down roots and integrate. That’s our vision at Québec Solidaire,” said Spokesperson Ruba Ghazal. “That’s why we’ve set the intake cap at 70,000 permanent immigrants per year.” Québec’s permanent immigration quota is currently set at 45,000 admissions per year. - The Canadian Press. CAQ wants to contribute to every newborn’s RESP The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) is promising to contribute $1,000 to every newborn’s Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). The measure would cost nearly $220 million over four years. Parents would have three years following their child’s birth to open an RESP and request payment. Amounts invested for children who do not pursue postsecondary education would be returned, with interest, as is the case under the current rules. This means that the government would recoup its investment, with interest, and the portion invested by parents would be returned to them, with interest. Currently, the federal government contributes 20 per cent of the first annual contribution. Mathematically, if Quebec transfers $1,000, Ottawa would then add $200 to the RESP, for a total of $1,200. - The Canadian Press. PCQ promises to cut red tape for businesses Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ) Leader Éric Duhaime says he wants to “cut red tape” in favour of a 30 per cent reduction in the regulatory burden for businesses. He promised to significantly reduce government rules and laws, suggesting that Quebec follow in Alberta’s footsteps. “Quebec is now the Canadian province with the most regulatory requirements by far. We have nearly 150,000,” compared to only 67,094 in Alberta, said Duhaime. “Quebec entrepreneurs have to deal with 78,864 more requirements — more than double,” according to the PCQ. Since 2019, Alberta has reduced its regulatory burden by 35 per cent, the Conservatives point out. Duhaime noted that, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), “regulations cost small and medium Quebec businesses $10.9 billion a year.” - The Canadian Press. Day 6: This is where the parties are expected to start their day, in order of first appearance: Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ): Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime is set to remain in the Quebec City area, beginning his day with a press conference at 7:45 a.m at 1100 René-Lévesque Blvd Est. Afterward, he will head to the Couche-Tard at 1000 Wilfrid-Hamel Blvd. at 10 a.m. In the afternoon, Duhaime is expected to hold a press briefing in front of Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures City Hall at 3 p.m., and conclude his day with a speech at 77 Saint-Pierre St. in Saint-Pie at 6:30 p.m. Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ): CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette is set to start her day in the riding of Saint-Zotique for a press conference at 8:15 a.m., before announcing a new candidate in Saint-Constant at 11:15 a.m. She will wrap up her day with a meeting at the Communauté métropolitaine de Québec at 4 p.m. in the Capitale-Nationale region. Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ): Liberal Leader Charles Milliard is starting his day in the Estrie and Mauricie regions. At 10 a.m., he is scheduled to attend a meeting and make an announcement about public housing and homelessness at Maison Margot in Sherbrooke. At midday, he will attend a campaign luncheon at Freddy Pizzeria in Sherbrooke before heading to Trois-Rivières for a gourmet stop at Fromagerie Victoria at 3:45 p.m. before participating in the “P’tit shérif” race at École de la Providence in Saint-Tite at 6:15 p.m. Parti Québécois (PQ): PQ Leader Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon is in the Mauricie region, holding a press briefing on the cost of living at 10:30 a.m. at the Jardin des Ursulines in Trois-Rivières, before taking part in a campaign luncheon at 300 des Forges St. at 12 p.m. He will then head to the Greater Montreal area for a press conference with Berthier MNA Elise Lefebvre at Jean-Bourdon Park at 2:50 p.m. He is expected to end his day in Saint-Jérôme in the Laurentians, participating in a campaign rally with numerous candidates at 2020 Saint-Georges St. at 5:30 p.m. Québec solidaire: Québec Solidaire (QS) Spokesperson Ruba Ghazal is slated to spend the day in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, unveiling the party’s vision on immigration at the Agora des Arts in Rouyn-Noranda mid-morning. She will then visit the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue at 11 a.m. to meet with the president and student body before having lunch at Chez Morasse, a family-owned business famous for its slogan “The best poutine in the world,” at 11:45 a.m. In the afternoon, she is set to be in Val-d’Or, where she will tour the campus to meet with students from the Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue. The leaders
