In just over a week, Quebec will have a new premier — likely Christine Fréchette, set to become only the second woman in the province’s history to hold this post. Former Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois won the 2012 general election with a minority government that lasted around 18 months.  

With François Legault’s announcement that he will step down, the 20,000 or so party members of his Coalition Avenir Québec will be anointing their new leader — and in the process, our 33rd premier — next weekend.

Fréchette and her leadership rival, Bernard Drainville, had two lively and somewhat acrimonious debates. Last weekend in Laval, they crossed swords on four main themes: health care; education; security, housing and homelessness; and immigration and identity.

On the one hand, it was a substantive debate of ideas and proposals on important issues. On the other, it’s hard to take seriously what they say needs fixing in Quebec after eight years of CAQ government in which both held key ministerial portfolios. 

Furthermore, most of the........

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