Coalition Avenir Québec
Template:Infobox Quebec political party The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ; pronounced [kɔ.a.li.sjɔ̃ av.niʁ ke.bɛk], "Coalition for Quebec's Future"), is a 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 of CAQ. The party membership includes both Quebec nationalists and federalists, however its leader Francois Legault has said it will never endorse a referendum or sovereignty, but more autonomy if necessary.[citation needed]
Not long after its formation, the party gained nine sitting Members of the National Assembly of Quebec (MNAs) who had originally been elected as members of the PQ and of the Action démocratique du Québec (ADQ); the latter party merged with the CAQ in January 2012. The party is formally 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 originally requested that the term "coalisés" be used instead.[2]
History
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",[3] literally Coalition for the Future of Quebec.
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In September 2011, the CAQ began discussions with the ADQ on the possibility of a merger between the two groups.[4]
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.[5] 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.[6]
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.[7][8]
In January 2012, PQ MNA François Rebello switched party affiliation to the CAQ, becoming its fifth sitting member.[9]
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.[10][11]
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.[12]
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.[13] He won the MNA seat.
On 4 September 2012, the CAQ won 19 seats in the National Assembly September 2012 provincial election.
2014 Quebec general election
In the 2014 provincial election held on 7 April, the CAQ won 22 seats, a gain of three seats. 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 favorable.[14]
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-Parti Québécois electorate,[15] 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 theater Le Diamant, promoted by Robert Lepage, and the $20 million revitalization of the French colonial era new barracks,[16] 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 7 more seats.
Meanwhile, the CAQ support in Chaudière-Appalaches and Centre-du-Québec remained steady.
On 15 August, CAQ MNA for Lévis Christian Dubé resigned his seat to take a job at the Caisse de dépôt et placement.[17]
The subsequent October 20 by-election was won by François Paradis with 47% of the popular vote.[18]
Official positions
The party proposes government investment in education and partial decentralisation 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. Although the party does not support independence, it advocates Quebec nationalism. This includes limiting immigration and promoting the use of French without creating new barriers. The party supports multiculturalism insofar as to "integrate newcomers".[19]
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".[19]
On 10 April 2014, the party stated that it would never hold a referendum: "(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."[20] 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."[21] However, its appeal to Anglophone residents is limited due to CAQ's nationalist positions. Legault is well-known for his spotty English skills.[22] He has stated "aggressive[ly]" that his government would not repeal Bill 101 .[23]
The party describes itself as of neither the left nor the right: It describes itself as conservative on economic issues, while liberal on social issues,[24] however its politics have been described in the press as centre-right.[25][26][27][28][29][30]
Projet St-Laurent
The centerpiece of the Coalition's policy platform is the Projet St-Laurent, a detailed program designed to modernize Quebec's economy, education and health systems.
Election results
| Election | Seats won | Number of candidates | Popular vote | Popular vote (%) | Legislative role | Party leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 19 | 125/125 | 1,180,261 | 27.06% | Balance of Power | François Legault |
| 2014 | 22 | 122/125 | 975,781 | 23.16% | Third party | François Legault |
Members of the National Assembly
| MNA | District | Region | Years of Service Within Caucus |
Background |
| François Bonnardel | Shefford | Montérégie | 2012-Current | Business Person ADQ MNA (2007-2012) Member of the Party Executive[12] |
| Éric Caire | La Peltrie | Québec | 2011-Current | Computer Programmer and Analyst ADQ, then Independent MNA (2007-2011) |
| Benoît Charette | Deux-Montagnes | Laurentides | 2011-2012 2014-Current |
Administrator PQ, then Independent MNA (2008-2011) |
| Sylvie D’Amours | Mirabel | Laurentides | 2014-Current | Business Person Council Member in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac (2009-2013) |
| Hélène Daneault | Groulx | Laurentides | 2012-2014 | Physician Mayor of Rosemère (2005-2012) |
| Gérard Deltell | Chauveau | Québec | 2012-Current | TV Correspondent ADQ MNA (2008-2012) |
| Christian Dubé | Lévis | Chaudière-Appalaches | 2012-2014 | Accountant and Corporate Executive Officer |
| Jacques Duchesneau | Saint-Jérôme | Laurentides | 2012-2014 | Investigator Montreal Chief of Police (1994-1998) Mayoral Candidate in Montreal (1998) |
| Janvier Grondin | Beauce-Nord | Chaudière-Appalaches | 2012-2012 | Administrator Mayor of Saint-Jules (1993-2003) ADQ MNA (2003-2012) |
| Simon Jolin-Barrette | Borduas | Montérégie | 2014-Current | Attorney at Law |
| Mario Laframboise | Blainville | Laurentides | 2014-Current | Chair of the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) (1997-2000) BQ MP (2000-2011) |
| André Lamontagne | Johnson | Centre-du-Québec Montérégie |
2014-Current | Entrepreneur Management Consultant |
| Lise Lavallée | Repentigny | Lanaudière | 2014-Current | Business Person Notary and Legal Advisor |
| Stéphane Le Bouyonnec | La Prairie | Montérégie | 2012-2014 | Engineer Corporate Executive Officer ADQ Activist |
| François Legault | L'Assomption | Laurentides | 2012-Current | Entrepreneur, Accountant and Corporate Executive Officer PQ Cabinet Member (1998-2003) |
| Mathieu Lemay | Masson | Lanaudière | 2014-Current | Mechanical Engineer |
| Sylvain Lévesque | Vanier-Les Rivières | Québec | 2012-2014 | Employment Counselor and Administrator PQ Candidate in 2004 and 2007 |
| Jacques Marcotte | Portneuf | Québec | 2012-2014 | Mayor of Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier (1996-2012) |
| Donald Martel | Nicolet-Bécancour | Centre-du-Québec | 2012-Current | Administrator PQ Candidate in 2007 |
| Marc Picard | Chutes-de-la-Chaudière | Chaudière-Appalaches | 2011-Current | Tax Auditor with Ministère du Revenu du Québec ADQ, then Independent MNA (2007-2011) |
| Daniel Ratthé | Blainville | Laurentides | 2011-2013 | Sales Representative and Administrator Acting Mayor of Blainville (2005-2006) PQ, then Independent MNA (2008-2011) |
| François Rebello | La Prairie | Montérégie | 2012-2012 | Financial Advisor PQ MNA (2008-2012) |
| Jean-François Roberge | Chambly | Montérégie | 2014-Current | Elementary School Teacher Student Leader PQ Activist |
| Nathalie Roy | Montarville | Montérégie | 2012-Current | Attorney at Law, Journalist, News Reader and Anchor |
| Sylvie Roy | Lotbinière Arthabaska |
Chaudière-Appalaches Centre-du-Québec |
2012-Current | Attorney at Law Mayor of Sainte-Sophie-de-Lévrard (1999-2003) ADQ MNA (2003-2012) |
| Claire Samson | Iberville | Montérégie | 2014-Current | CBC’s French Programming Director General for Communications |
| Sébastien Schneeberger | Drummond–Bois-Francs | Centre-du-Québec | 2012-Current | Financial Advisor |
| Chantal Soucy | Saint-Hyacinthe | Montérégie | 2014-Current | Industrial Relations and Human Resources Manager |
| André Spénard | Beauce-Nord | Chaudière-Appalaches | 2012-Current | Administrator Vocational Guidance Counselor |
| Michelyne St-Laurent | Montmorency | Québec | 2012-2014 | Attorney at Law |
| Claude Surprenant | Groulx | Laurentides | 2014-Current | Business Person Financial Advisor |
| Denise Trudel | Charlesbourg | Québec | 2012-2014 | Administrator Council Member in Quebec City (2005-2012) School Board Member (2002-2006) |
CAQ House Leaders
| MNA | Years of Service |
| Gérard Deltell | 2012-2014 |
| François Bonnardel | 2014-Current |
CAQ House Whips
| MNA | Years of Service |
| Daniel Ratthé | 2012-2013 |
| François Bonnardel | 2013-2014 |
| Donald Martel | 2014-Current |
References
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
dgeqwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Gilbert Lavoie (3 November 2011). "Coquetterie caquiste..." Le Soleil. Cyberpresse.ca. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
- ^ "Francois Legault unveils Coalition for the Future". CTV. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "New Quebec political party makes statement with logo". CTV. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ "CAQ officially merging with ADQ". CTV. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ "Quatre élus indépendants se rallient à la CAQ". Radio-Canada (in French). 19 December 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ White, Marianne (19 December 2011). "New party boots its ranks with four new members". canada.com.
- ^ Philip Authier (13 January 2012). "Pauline Marois blasts former PQ MNA Francois Rebello". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ Canadian Press (22 January 2012). "Coalition for Quebec's Future, ADQ finalize merger". CTV News. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
- ^ Biggs, XiBit (22 January 2012). "Merger uniting new Coalition for Quebec's Future with ADQ a done deal". Global News. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
- ^ a b Kevin Dougherty (23 January 2012). "CAQ leader François Legault shows off party executive, 'ideal candidate'". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ Canadian Press (5 August 2012). "Quebec anti-corruption crusader Duchesneau confirms run for CAQ". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
- ^ "La CAQ désormais "incontournable", selon Legault". http://www.lapresse.ca/. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ "La CAQ blâme le mouvement "anybody but Pauline"". http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ "La CAQ paie pour avoir refusé d'endosser les projets de Québec, dit Labeaume". http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ Authier, Philip (15 August 2014). "CAQ heavyweight Christian Dubé leaving politics". The Gazette. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
- ^ Vendeville, Geoffrey (21 October 2014). "CAQ holds the fort in Lévis byelection". The Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ^ a b "TAKING ACTION FOR THE FUTURE — Action plan presented by the Coalition pour l'avenir du Québec" (PDF). 14 November 2011.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/francois-legault-says-caq-would-never-hold-a-referendum-1.1770999
- ^ http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/There+will+never+referendum+with+Legault+says/9725210/story.html
- ^ L’anglais de François Legault
- ^ François Legault finds that Bill 101 and business don’t mix
- ^ Alexander Panetta The Canadian Press (14 November 2011). "New Quebec political party makes statement with logo". thestar.com. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
- ^ "Francois Legault unveils Coalition for the Future". CTV Montreal. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
- ^ Ljunggren, David (14 November 2011). "New Quebec party could marginalize separatists". Reuters. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ Ljunggren, David (14 June 2011). "The PQ falls on its separatist message". National Post. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ^ "Quebec unites its right". Cnews.canoe.ca. QMI Agency. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
- ^ "Legault's Coalition Avenir Quebec absorbs ADQ". CTV Montreal. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
- ^ "Jean Charest: Quebec Premier Eyeing 2013 Election". Huffingtonpost.ca. 9 January 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
External links
