Drama, intrigue help trigger the most Quebec byelections in more than 30 years

Death, palace intrigue and allegations of lies and corruption are at the centre of the highest number of Quebec byelections in more than 30 years.

The Oct. 2 byelection in the Quebec City riding of Louis Hebert will be the 15th in the province since Philippe Couillard’s Liberals formed a majority government in April 2014.

Ontario, by contrast, has had seven byelections since Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals won in June that year.

At roughly $500,000 a pop, byelections this legislative session will cost Quebec around $8 million, according to the province’s elections commission.

And that sum doesn’t include so-called “transition’’ allowances given to some of the departing politicians.

Before November 2015, members of the legislature who left mid-mandate were eligible to such payments to help them in their career switch.

Yves Bolduc, the ex-education minister who lost Couillard’s confidence early in the Liberal mandate, pocketed $150,000. His staff — who were also put out of work when he resigned — shared another $150,000.

The high number of byelections — the most in one mandate since 1981-85 — forced the government to end the practice of automatic allowances. Now, only politicians who leave early for “serious’’ family or health reasons are eligible.