# Quebec Election: Federalist Liberals take lead in polls over separatist Parti Québécois **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 22, 2014, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273 "2014-03-22T10:45:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/21 "2014-04-07T12:22:16Z")
Marois says her worst mistake in the campaign was talking too much about sovereignty. If you can’t win an election by talking about your party’s _raisoin d’être_ … > **[CBC News - Latest Canada, World, Entertainment and Business News](https://www.cbc.ca/news)** > > The latest news from across Canada and around the world. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/22 "2014-04-07T14:40:07Z")
I sure hope the PQ do lose. The current version of the PQ has been putting on its ugly face. I used to argue with some Quebec seperatist buddies that the PQ had an unpleasant side - of exclusionary ethic nationalism. They all poo-pooed that - said it was nothing more than a tiny minority, in no way representative of the majority. I’d like to believe that is true, but this whole “charter of values” thing really raises those doubts to the fore. ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/23 "2014-04-07T15:21:22Z")
The separatist movement in Quebec, one that is highly based on social issues and cultural politics, has slowly split along the left-right divide. [Quebec Solidarity](http://www.quebecsolidaire.net/) has largely tapped into the youngish, revolutionary-idealizing, cosmopolitan left wing; while the [PQ](http://pq.org/) has been favouring it’s older, traditionalist, “nativist”, rural-ish right wing. It’s important to remember that the PQ is still a “big-tent” party, much more so then QS, it’s just that the PQ has been associated with the “ugly side” [of a](http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/news/quebec-soccer-turban-ban/) [lot of](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/pq-admitting-people-who-violate-charter-of-values-will-be-fired/article17768496/) [issues](http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/pq-candidate-steps-down-after-posting-anti-islamic-photos-1.1727311). (Wild-ass guess/hope, but…) This split might also be a symptom of dwindling relevance due to the lack of expectations/hope for Quebec sovereignty. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/24 "2014-04-07T17:24:07Z")
Looks like the poll showing Liberals in the low forties was an outlier; here’s a good summary of the polls throughout the past month in Huffpost/Canada/Québec: > **[Voici tous les sondages de la campagne électorale](https://www.huffpost.com/archive/qc/entry/lections-2014-voici-tous-les-sondages-de-la-campagne-electoral_n_5063882?utm_hp_ref=politique)** > > Voici tous les sondages de la campagne électorale And here’s a projection by 308: Liberal government, likely slim majority, but could be a minority. (The Assemblée Nationale has 125 seats, so 63 or 64 is needed for a majority, depending on who is chosen as President of the Assemblée, which is a neutral position.) [http://www.threehundredeight.com/?m=1](http://www.threehundredeight.com/?m=1) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/25 "2014-04-07T17:48:23Z")
CTV coverage will be live streamed tonight at Montreal.ctvnews.ca without restrictions. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/26 "2014-04-07T17:56:21Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > The separatist movement in Quebec, one that is highly based on social issues and cultural politics, has slowly split along the left-right divide. [Quebec Solidarity](http://www.quebecsolidaire.net/) has largely tapped into the youngish, revolutionary-idealizing, cosmopolitan left wing; . . . _Langue de boeuf!_ Wouldn’t “cosmopolitan” go against the separatism thing?! ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/27 "2014-04-07T18:37:49Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > _Langue de boeuf!_ Wouldn’t “cosmopolitan” go against the separatism thing?! It kinda does and doesn’t. If you’re a [young, “fuck 'em up”](http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/06/05/amir-khadir-arrest-quebec-solidaire-student-protest_n_1572631.html), [revolutionary romanticizing](http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2013/03/15/the-story-so-far-khadir-backpedals-on-flq-terrorist-cops-prepare-for-annual-bash/), [neo-folk listening](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InCeVCGtHak), left wing Quebecker; you won’t find a bigger “establishment” than 1) The centre-right [PLQ](http://www.plq.org/en) 2) The Canadian government. So while you are a separatist, nativist desire isn’t fueling you; in fact your definition of “Quebec” is very inclusive. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/28 "2014-04-07T23:32:22Z")
Well, I’m headed out to vote. Catch you later. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/29 "2014-04-07T23:37:23Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > It kinda does and doesn’t. If you’re a [young, “fuck 'em up”](http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/06/05/amir-khadir-arrest-quebec-solidaire-student-protest_n_1572631.html), [revolutionary romanticizing](http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2013/03/15/the-story-so-far-khadir-backpedals-on-flq-terrorist-cops-prepare-for-annual-bash/), [neo-folk listening](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InCeVCGtHak), left wing Quebecker; you won’t find a bigger “establishment” than 1) The centre-right [PLQ](http://www.plq.org/en) 2) The Canadian government. So while you are a separatist, nativist desire isn’t fueling you; in fact your definition of “Quebec” is very inclusive. What, does it encompass New Brunswick?! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/30 "2014-04-07T23:42:21Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Well, I’m headed out to vote. Catch you later. _C’est la guerre! Vive la Queb–_ Erm . . . _Vive la Can–_ Pssst! Which side was **Bryan** on again? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/31 "2014-04-08T00:00:20Z")
Well, that was quick. The polling place (a church basement - screw your establishment clause, Yank) was pretty deserted. I _was_ asked for ID, something I don’t recall in earlier votes. Two seconds of scrutiny of my provincial heath care card was sufficient. It was all very genteel and civilized. I voted Liberal, as I typically do at the provincial level. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/32 "2014-04-08T00:08:22Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Well, that was quick. The polling place (a church basement - screw your establishment clause, Yank) . . . We use churches for polling stations too. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/33 "2014-04-08T00:32:27Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > We use churches for polling stations too. Doesn’t that interfere with your ongoing War on Christmas? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/34 "2014-04-08T00:42:26Z")
It would appear the Liberals are cruising to a majority. They’re now looking at 75 seats or so, an incredibly devastating defeat for the PQ, worse even than expected. Pauline Marois is losing her own riding, which would end her career, if losing the government wasn’t enough. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/35 "2014-04-08T00:49:42Z")
Sovereigntists lose horribly, and because they’re sovereigntists. This pleases me. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/36 "2014-04-08T01:13:20Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Doesn’t that interfere with your ongoing War on Christmas? How do you think we get the bombs planted? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/37 "2014-04-08T01:27:57Z")
Maoris is leading again in her own riding, but only by about 175 votes. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/38 "2014-04-08T01:29:24Z")
Libs are down to 70 elected/leading; PQ @ 34; Coalition @ 19. Solidaire stuck at 2. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/39 "2014-04-08T01:38:23Z")
Standings at dissolution: PQ: 54 Lib: 49 CAQ: 18 CS: 2 Ind: 2 ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273/40 "2014-04-08T01:39:38Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Libs are down to 70 elected/leading; PQ @ 34; Coalition @ 19. Solidaire stuck at 2. Still a Liberal majority though. As I write this, it’s not over yet. But I think the margin of seats (IIRC, 65 seats are needed for a majority in the NA) is big enough that the PQ cannot catch up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-election-federalist-liberals-take-lead-in-polls-over-separatist-parti-quebecois/684273.md?page=3)