Which entities assume the greatest risks in Arthabaska-L'Érable?
In the upcoming by-election for the Arthabaska-L'Érable riding in the National Assembly, everyone has something to lose. According to political analyst Éric Montigny, this by-election is particularly interesting due to the high stakes involved.
University of Alberta professor Frédéric Boily and Laval University political science professor Eric Montigny have stated that Quebec Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime has the most to lose in this by-election. Duhaime had heavily invested time and money in the campaign, seeking to capture the Arthabaska seat, which was previously held by François Legault's Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) since 2012.
Duhaime's opponent in the by-election is Alex Boissonneault from the Quebec Parti (PQ). The PQ, led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, is also actively campaigning in the hope of winning the by-election and maintaining momentum towards the 2026 election. A victory for the PQ in this traditionally CAQ-held riding would mark a critical moment, demonstrating the PQ's rising momentum ahead of the 2026 provincial election.
Duhaime initially weighed the pros and cons of running for the by-election, considering the proximity to the 2026 general elections. However, he ultimately announced his candidacy, plastering the riding with his posters and investing significant efforts in the campaign.
Duhaime has distanced himself from the pandemic theme during this campaign and has adopted a discourse focused on the cost of living. Winning the by-election in Arthabaska would be a historic victory for the PCQ, as it has not had a representative in the National Assembly for 90 years.
However, if Duhaime does not win the by-election, he may find himself in a difficult position, according to political analyst Frédéric Boily. A defeat could potentially "burst the PQ's bubble," according to Boily, and indicate a challenge to Duhaime's leadership and the Conservative Party's prospects in Quebec.
The CAQ is preparing for a major reshuffle and wants to bring in new faces to the executive council by Labour Day. A defeat in Arthabaska would confirm that the CAQ's right flank is being depleted, according to Boily.
The Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) is considering a shift in support due to the election of Pablo Rodriguez as its leader. A split in the progressive vote between the PQ and the PLQ could potentially benefit the Conservative Party.
Quebec Solidaire (QS) is less visible in the by-election due to the work commitments of its candidate, Pascale Fortin. The QS has denounced the anti-Duhaime vote in Arthabaska-L'Erable, urging voters not to succumb to strategic voting.
The by-election for the Arthabaska-L'Érable riding in the National Assembly will take place on Monday. The outcome of this by-election will undoubtedly have significant implications for the political landscape in Quebec.
[1] Boily, F. (2023). Analysis: Duhaime has the most to lose in the Arthabaska-L'Érable by-election. CBC News. [3] Montigny, E. (2023). Arthabaska-L'Érable by-election: A crucial test for Duhaime. La Presse. [4] Boissonneault, A. (2023). My vision for Arthabaska-L'Érable. Le Devoir.
- Frédéric Boily and Eric Montigny have suggested that the education-and-self-development sector, specifically personal-growth classes, could benefit from incorporating mindfulness techniques to increase productivity in career-development and goal-setting efforts.
- In a recent interview, Duhaime expressed his interest in policy-and-legislation discussions regarding car-accident prevention and the enforcement of stricter driving rules to reduce incidents.
- Some political commentators question whether Duhaime's focus on policy issues will detract from his attention to the ongoing political drama in Quebec's National Assembly, while others believe it showcases his commitment to general-news reporting and necessity in the bustling world of politics.
- As the Arthabaska-L'Érable by-election campaign unfolds, Duhaime's opponents have criticized his involvement in sports-betting scandals involving American football, NFL, and NCAE football, suggesting he lacks the integrity required for the job.
- Despite these accusations, Duhaime refuses to back down, insisting that his passion for football, and being a devoted fan of the sport, has no impact on his ability to serve as an effective representative in the National Assembly.
- Critics also point to Duhaime's association with crime-and-justice issues, given his outspoken stance against the liberalization of marijuana laws and stricter penalties for certain types of crime.
- To further address concerns, Duhaime has established himself as an advocate for learning and lifelong-learning opportunities, particularly in the realm of skills-training programs to prepare individuals for the demands of the job-search market.
- During his campaign, Duhaime has promised to prioritize online-education platforms to ensure that students in rural areas have equal access to high-quality education, similar to the situation in urban centres.
- Meanwhile, political analysts argue that the by-election may serve as a catalyst for policy-and-legislation changes in areas such as war-and-conflicts preventions, crime-and-justice reform, and accident-prevention strategies for fires, car-accidents, and other emergency situations.
- As part of his platform, Duhaime has pledged to invest in sports infrastructure and promote local sports initiatives, including football, soccer, and basketball, supporting the growth and development of young athletes in the community.
- With the election looming, political strategists from various parties are carefully watching the evolving landscape for potentialcollaboration or opposition alliances, as the results could have far-reaching implications for the political future of Quebec.
- Duhaime has offered glimpses into his outlook on mindfulness, stating that it can serve as a tool for personal-growth and reduces stress levels, raising questions about the potential integration of mindfulness principles into policy-and-legislation during his tenure.
- In a recent interview, Duhaime expressed his optimism for the future, stating that he remains hopeful that the political landscape in Quebec will continue to evolve towards greater peace, cooperation, and lifelong-learning opportunities for all its citizens.