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Conrad Black: Quebec's Gilbert and Sullivan election

Monday produced the most fragmented result in the province's history

Monday’s election in Quebec produced the most fragmented result in the province’s history, where three parties had between 20 and 28 per cent of the vote, and two others between 12 and 14 per cent. The previously governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), after eight years in office, though led by the well-liked new premier Christine Fréchette, emerged with no members in the national assembly but approximately 14 per cent of the vote. The complete elimination from the legislature of the governing party is a rare event that surpassed even Kim Campbell when she replaced Brian Mulroney in 1993 and led the Progressive Conservative party from a caucus in the 150s to two. Richard B. Hatfield succumbed to this fate in New Brunswick at the hands of Frank McKenna in 1987, but nothing like it has occurred before in Quebec.

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The fifth of the parties in electoral strength was Québec solidaire (QS), led by Ruba Ghazal, a Lebanese-Palestinian and foaming-at-the-mouth anti-Israelite leading a party that advocates immediate secession with a minimal interest in any continuing relationship with Canada. This unambiguously rejectionist movement received about 12 per cent off the vote and nine members in the national assembly. The Conservatives elected candidates for the first time in 91 years, since Maurice Duplessis was their leader and joined forces in the 1935 election campaign with reformed Liberals to form what became the Union Nationale, which he led to victory for an unequalled five terms.

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