+ By-election in Jean-Talon | A New Leader to Regain… Title: “Pivotal By-election in Jean-Talon | Charting a Path Towards Renewal”

Renewal By-election in Jean-Talon: A New Leader to Regain Government-in-Waiting Status, Tanguay Hopes

Introduction

In the wake of a disastrous by-election in the Jean-Talon constituency in Quebec, interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay acknowledges that his political party is no longer seen as the government-in-waiting by the people of Quebec. Tanguay is now banking on the upcoming leadership race to lift the official opposition out of its historical slump and regain the confidence of the electorate.

A Defeat Acknowledged

Faced with disastrous results in the Jean-Talon by-election, Tanguay is taking a candid approach. “Let’s call a spade a spade, this is a defeat. We had hoped for better,” he said. On Monday, his candidate Élise Avard Bernier finished in 4th place with just under 9% of the vote, behind Pascal Paradis of the Parti Québécois (44%), Marie-Anik Shoiry of the Coalition Avenir Québec (21%), and Olivier Bolduc of Québec solidaire (17%). The Conservatives, led by Éric Duhaime, received 6% of the votes.

Charting a Path to Renewal

In a press scrum at the parliament on Tuesday, the interim Liberal leader stated that his political party “has a long way to go to be the government-in-waiting.” He believes that the leadership race, the rules for which will be announced in mid-October in Drummondville, will be fundamental in revitalizing the Liberals. Until then, Tanguay emphasized that “we are the official opposition.” He also sees the victory of Pascal Paradis and the Parti Québécois as a Liberal contribution. “The fact that the population of Jean-Talon wanted, first and foremost, to get rid of the Coalition Avenir Québec […], I think it also demonstrates the work that the official opposition has done in the past year to show that this is a messy government,” Tanguay affirmed.

A Test of Leadership for Nadeau-Dubois?

On the other hand, Québec solidaire’s parliamentary leader and co-spokesperson, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, does not believe that the disappointing results of his political party should lead to a reconsideration of his ability to lead his troops to victory. After all, as he emphatically stated on Tuesday, Québec solidaire recently won a by-election in the Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne constituency in Montreal, where Guillaume Cliche-Rivard succeeded Liberal Dominique Anglade after her resignation.

Looking Ahead for Québec Solidaire

“The page has turned. I am optimistic about the future for Québec solidaire. We have an upcoming congress that I think will be extremely mobilizing because we will be choosing the members who will select the person with whom I will now share the role of spokesperson,” Nadeau-Dubois said. He also confirmed that he will be a candidate in the 2026 election. According to him, Québec solidaire’s poor performance in Jean-Talon, where the party dropped from second place in the 2022 vote to third place in 2023, can be attributed to insufficient youth voter turnout. “We need to be able to build bridges to other generations. That’s why we will continue to focus on issues that are important to all generations, including the cost of living,” Nadeau-Dubois added.

Editorial and Advice

The recent by-election in the Jean-Talon constituency has provided both the Liberal Party and Québec solidaire with a clear indication that changes and renewal are necessary for their respective parties. The Liberals, in particular, must address their status as the official opposition and strategize on regaining the trust of the electorate.

The leadership race within the Liberal Party will undoubtedly be pivotal in mapping out a path towards renewal. It is essential for the new leader to engage with the people of Quebec, understand their concerns, and present a compelling vision for the future. The leader must not only bring fresh ideas and policies to the table but also effectively communicate and connect with voters.

Québec solidaire, on the other hand, should focus on strengthening its relationship with the youth, whose support is crucial to their success. They must continue to advocate for issues that resonate with all generations, such as the cost of living, and find innovative ways to engage young voters. Building bridges across different age groups is key to expanding their appeal and gaining broader support.

Both parties should take this opportunity for introspection and consider how they can adapt to the changing political landscape of Quebec. By acknowledging their weaknesses and embracing renewal, they can emerge stronger and regain the confidence of the electorate in future elections.