Quebecers vote for individuals, pollster says

The Quebec electorate is different from the electorate in other provinces because voters here cast ballots for an individual rather than for a political party, pollster JeanMarc Léger says.

The veteran polling expert told an audience attending a convention of the Fédération québécoise des municipalités in Montreal that Quebecers favour people and not options or political parties. It’s the opposite case in Ontario, he added.

Léger, who has been conducting opinion polls for 30 years, also described the Quebec electorate as “voters against.” In other words, they are voters who are very critical and who “vote against” rather than “vote for” something, he said.

Because of the mindset, support for a party can fluctuate from one poll to the next in Quebec, Léger said. He added that it wouldn’t be the case in Ontario.