Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday December 18, 2025
Published in The Toronto Star.
A Resurgence of Intrigue and Uncertainty
December 18, 2024
Quebec politics has long been a source of both intrigue and entertainment, characterized by its unique cultural dynamics and frequent shifts in public sentiment. As we approach the provincial election in 2026, the landscape is once again charged with excitement and unpredictability.
Recent events, including the resignation of Quebec Liberal Party leader Pablo Rodriguez amid corruption allegations, have thrown the party into disarray. Once a bastion of federalism, the Liberals are struggling to find their footing, reminiscent of the spent and unpopular state of Robert Bourassa’s Liberals in 1975. This turmoil, detailed in recent articles from Le Devoir and CBC, highlights a party grappling with internal crises and a loss of public confidence.
News: Quebec Liberal leader has decided to resign after weeks of turmoil: sources
July 12, 2019
Meanwhile, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), led by François Legault, finds itself in a precarious position. After dominating Quebec politics for nearly a decade, voter fatigue and dissatisfaction have set in. The CAQ’s struggles mirror those of past governments, facing challenges such as the contentious issues of pipelines, secularism laws like Bill 21, and the push for a Quebec constitution. These debates have reignited passions across the province, drawing attention to Quebec’s place within Canada and its cultural identity.
October 5, 2022
Enter the Parti Québécois (PQ), under the leadership of Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. The PQ is experiencing a resurgence, capturing the imagination of voters with renewed discussions of sovereignty and independence. While the prospect of another referendum is met with skepticism by many, the PQ’s rise in the polls indicates a significant shift in public mood. This echoes the party’s historic ascent in the 1970s, when they challenged the status quo and altered Quebec’s political trajectory.
News: PQ lead in polls won’t last, referendum promise will turn off Quebecers, Legault says
May 7, 2021
Commentary from various sources, including reader responses, underscores the complexity of Quebec’s political climate. The province is restless, with many feeling that politics has been dormant for too long. The potential for change is palpable, as parties vie for influence and attempt to address the diverse concerns of Quebecers.
As we approach the 2026 election, Quebec’s political scene seems poised for a dramatic transformation. The end of Legault’s era and the potential return of the PQ signify a province on the verge of a political explosion. In true Quebec fashion, the stage is set for a captivating and unpredictable journey, reminding us that Quebec politics never fails to deliver intrigue.
The 2026 Unity Crisis Drama
Yesterday morning, the unexpected resignation of Liberal leader Pablo Rodriguez jolted me awake from my apathy towards Quebec politics. For years, the political scene in Quebec has felt stagnant, with uninspiring leaders at the helm. In the past 25 years, the Parti Québécois has cycled through 13 leaders, with only three serving as premiers, while the Liberals have seen seven leaders and just two premiers.
François Legault, the two-term Premier, has been the only leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec to govern, emerging as a protest against the traditional politics dominated by the Liberals and PQ. Despite controversies, particularly his fixation on secularism, Legault managed to steer Quebec away from its nationalist, separatist tendencies. However, Quebecers are growing weary of the CAQ and Legault, as reflected in plummeting poll numbers, signaling a hunger for change.
This yearning for transformation is refreshing. It’s been too long since Quebec politics has seen the likes of dynamic figures such as Jean Charest, Bernard Landry, Lucien Bouchard, Jacques Parizeau, and the incomparable René Lévesque. Although I don’t see a new René Lévesque in the current PQ leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, whom I just discovered today, I remain a staunch federalist committed to Quebec’s place within Canada.
Yet, I welcome the prospect of renewed debates on unity. It’s an integral part of our history and offers a rich platform to discuss Quebec’s role within the broader Canadian context.
