+34
Voters in Quebec gather at early polling stations for the upcoming general election on October 5, with key issues including the economy, cost of living, language policy, and healthcare reform dominating the discourse among early ballot casters.
Estimated 4 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon meets a convinced sovereigntist, Helene Morin, while visiting a local market in Quebec City on Saturday. Along the St. Lawrence River, with a view of the Montreal skyline, voters gathered at advance polling stations like one at the Montreal science centre to cast early ballots ahead of the province’s Oct. 5 general election.
Marc Fortin and Denise Tremblay, accompanied by their two grandchildren, were among the early voters headed to the first day of advance polling on Sunday. ’ to start preparing the civic action of the future,” said Fortin, who voted in the downtown riding of Sainte-Marie–Saint-Jacques.
“I watched the debate,” the boy replied. Five parties are expecting to win seats in the election — Christine Fréchette's Coalition Avenir Québec, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's Parti Québécois, Charles Milliard's Quebec Liberals, Éric Duhaime's Quebec Conservatives and Ruba Ghazal's Québec Solidaire. When, where and how to vote: Everything you need to know to cast your ballot in Quebec The economy, the cost of living and relations with the United States were important issues for Fortin this election, he said.
Tremblay said she wanted to encourage continued reform to government systems, like the CAQ’s health-care reform, and digital transition projects. Asked who had got their vote, the pair were quick to reply: “Madame Fréchette. ” For other early voters who spoke to The Canadian Press on Sunday, the issue of language came up often.
Yasemin Kahyaoglu, a university lecturer who also voted at the science centre, called on politicians to recognize the value of English universities, where tuition went up in recent years for out-of-province and international students.
“Pushing people out of the province, pushing universities out of province, that doesn't make sense to me,” she said. Here’s what to expect as an anglophone when casting your ballot in Quebec’s electionÉlections Québec workers have been directed to ask whether a voter has the right to English communication at the polls before providing them service. The directive is to comply with Quebec’s newest language policy, Bill 96, which restricts who can access government communications in English.
In a polling station in Westmount, a bilingual city on the island of Montreal, voters spoke out against the sending of election documents only in French this election, in accordance with the province’s new language law. Élections Québec has told employees not to speak English. Does that violate Anglos' rights? David Freedman, a voter at the Westmount polling station, said language was the single big issue he was following this election.
“I'd like to combine the English and the French together. I think it's important,” he said, adding that he had cast his vote for the Liberals. In the 2022 Quebec elections, one-third of the 66 per cent of eligible voters who cast ballots voted early, said Élections Québec spokesperson Julie St-Arnaud-Drolet. WATCH | Why citizens want to get involved in elections:How does Élections Québec prepare for voting day?
CBC takes a peek inside the office that oversees the province’s electoral process and finds out what motivates citizens to get involved. Despite the growing popularity, there are only about a quarter the number of polling stations during advance voting as there are on election day.
“There’s an enduring myth that it’s faster to vote during advance polling, but that isn’t the case, because there are much fewer polling stations,” she said, encouraging people to vote on election day if they can. For Réjean Matte, another voter in Westmount, casting his ballot early was the end of a too-long election season.
“We get sick of it. start repeating the same thing. And the more they debate on TV, the more they resort to low blows,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the campaign trail, reactions to Fréchette’s claims of foreign interference continued to dominate the discussion. On Friday, Fréchette said she was concerned Americans might try to support the sovereigntist Parti Québécois to destabilize Canada. Her rivals were skeptical about the warnings, and Fréchette later seemed to backtrack, saying there was no indication of interference in the current campaign. On Sunday, party leaders continued to attack Fréchette on the claims.
Liberal and Parti Québecois leaders Milliard and St-Pierre Plamondon said the affair disqualified Fréchette from leadership. The five major party leaders were set to meet Sunday night on the set of Radio-Canada's popular weekly French-language talk show
Please follow us on Google to support usQuebec Election Advance Polling Coalition Avenir Quebec Parti Quebecois Voter Issues
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Fréchette Alleges US Interference in Quebec Election, Refers Matter to CSISOutgoing Quebec premier Christine Fréchette says she is very concerned about possible US interference in the Oct. 5 election after reports a US think tank proposed covert support for the Parti Québécois, and confirms a US official sought direct tariff talks with Quebec.
Read more »
Quebec premier warns of U.S. attempts to sow division ahead of electionDocument from U.S. think tank detailed a plan to support Quebec independence, including by helping the sovereigntist PQ party to power
Read more »
Early Voting Begins in Quebec Ahead of 44th Legislature ElectionEarly voting for Quebec's provincial election starts Sunday, with expanded polling hours and locations. Voters are advised to check accessibility due to the Montreal World Cycling Championships, while other voting options include returning officer offices, campuses, and care centers.
Read more »
Quebec advance polls open as leaders clash over foreign interference claimsQuebecers cast early ballots ahead of the Oct. 5 provincial election, with the economy, language and health care on their minds, while party leaders attack Christine Fréchette over foreign interference claims.
Read more »