COUILLARD CAMP SHELL-SHOCKED
Liberal leader accepts responsibility for loss, will reflect on political future
ST-FÉLICIENON The night his party suffered its worst loss in more than 40 years, Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard told the small crowd of shell-shocked followers in his home riding to find strength in pride, not bitterness. At the same time, he said he would have to reflect on his political future.
“I am not bitter. I ask you not to be as well. I’m proud. You should be, too,” he said to cheers. “It has been the greatest honour to serve Quebecers as the premier of Quebec. I served Quebec with all my heart.”
He won his riding of Roberval, but said he will have to decide whether he will remain in politics.
“It is clear that as leader of our party I have to take responsibility for the result tonight. I will therefore reflect on my personal future,” he said. “In order to reduce the period of instability this will cause, this reflection will be short, a few days at most.”
In an election that was much about the desire for change, the Liberals gambled on stressing a message of continuity and stability. They implored voters not to rock the boat now that Quebec’s economic fortunes were stable after decades of rough seas.
“Look how far we’ve come in four years,” Couillard said repeatedly. “Let us now reap what our strong economic stewardship has sown.”
Their message did not seem to get through, and the Liberals lost their gamble in spectacular fashion, falling from 68 seats to 32, and only gathering 25 per cent of the overall vote. It was the worst showing since 1976, when the Parti Québécois won its first election and the Liberals were reduced to 26 seats and only garnered 23.6 per cent of the vote.
In his concession speech, Couillard focused largely on the accomplishments of his administration, the balanced budgets and low unemployment figures and positive credit ratings from international agencies.
He made oblique reference as well to the divisive immigration debate that characterized much of the provincial election, during which Coalition Avenir Québec campaigned on promises of cutting the number of immigrants allowed into Quebec and expelling those who fail language and values tests.
“I left Quebec, believe me, in much better state than I came to it. I am proud of our accomplishments, confident in the future we have prepared,” Couillard said.
“An election is a means, not an end. Our engagement is for Quebec. For all Quebecers. From all origins, who form one people. For a vision that is open, inclusive and modern of our society. …
“Here is one of the things I am most proud of: I never compromised my values and my principles.”
Couillard would find his message of economic stability buffeted by multiple opposing forces. He failed to apologize for the pain financial cuts had inflicted on many, particularly in the realm of health care. But many had not forgotten. They had also not forgotten former health minister Gaétan Barrette.
During the campaign, Couillard ridiculed Legault’s “empty promises” and sketchy knowledge of immigration policy. While Legault’s repeated errors on the immigration file hurt his standings in the polls (although not the proposals themselves, which polls showed a majority of Quebecers supported), they did not help the Liberals, who remained steady at around 30 per cent support throughout the campaign. The Liberals’ support among French voters, who make up the majority in most of Quebec’s ridings, remained historically low, at around 17 per cent.
“Perhaps I should have communicated my message better of our many accomplishments,” Couillard said late in the campaign.
Couillard conceded he was facing a worldwide phenomena in which incumbent parties were at risk. The quest for change after nearly 15 years of uninterrupted Liberal rule blew strong.
Toward the end of his short concession speech, he also reached out to the anglophone population.
“To my fellow English speakers, I want to say, you are like us, first-class Quebecers. Stay with us. Build our Quebec with all Quebecers. … You have always been among of us, part of us, part of our history.”