Canada: CAQ wins Quebec polls, ends Liberal rule in province
Quebec City, Oct 2 (IBNS): Putting an end to the Liberal rule, the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) has won the Quebec provincial polls by winning over 70 ridings, media reports said.
The CAQ, a right-of-centre party, won 74 ridings as opposed to Liberals' 32.
The CAQ got 37.7 percent of total votes, the lowest by any winning party in Quebec till date. The Liberals could mange to get 24.7 percent of total votes, the lowest ever by the political outfit.
Since Confederation, the Liberals have always maintained a vote share of 30 percent, report said.
Surprisingly, the CAQ has got only two seats on the island of Montreal.
Prior to the election, the CAQ, which came to power now for the first time, had reportedly promised lower taxes, privatisation of some aspects of the health-care system and reduction of number of immigrants.
Reacting to his party's win, CAQ leader and Premier-designate Francois Legault said the voters had finally rejected the divisive battle over sovereignty, taking a swipe at the Liberals.
Legault has been quoted by CBC News as saying, "There are many Quebecers who have demonstrated that it is possible to have yesterday's adversaries work together, to work for the Quebec of tomorrow, together."
The Party Quebecois also witnessed major losses in the provincial election.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who represents the Liberal Party, issued a statement to congratulate the CAQ and its leader.
In his statement, Trudeau said: "I look forward to working with Premier Legault to make Quebec, a province we are all proud of, an even better place to live. We will continue to stand up for Quebec’s workers and industries, create good, middle class jobs, build a strong economy based on innovation, protect the environment, and combat climate change. Together, we will work to make the province even more dynamic and prosperous, to the benefit of all Quebecers.
“I also thank Philippe Couillard for his years of service as Premier, as well as François Gendron, who is retiring after serving a record number of years in the National Assembly.”
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