The Conservatives are making strides in the province and believe they can win seats on the island of Montreal. But obstacles remain.
These days, it seems increasingly difficult if not near-impossible to govern, at any level of politics. There are so many complicated challenges, with ever-escalating costs to provide services and offer solutions. Raising taxes to generate revenues is rarely an option with many voters struggling to make ends meet. The longer one sits in power, regardless of leadership skills, the more likely disenchantment accumulates after every decision.
Conversely, it is relatively easy to be in opposition, where parties can exploit public frustration by throwing salt on wounds — highlighting the housing shortage, immigration challenges, health-care woes, the cost of living — and scoring points without offering tangible solutions to manage these problems. It all reinforces the narrative of a governing party in trouble, which is then typically confirmed by opinion polls.
With the National Assembly and House of Commons breaking for the summer, Premier François Legault and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are licking their wounds while their main opposition rivals are brimming with confidence.
So far, Poilievre has deftly avoided explosive Quebec issues regarding language, immigration, autonomy and religious symbols legislation — by just turning everything back to Trudeau. But in a campaign, he will undoubtedly be encouraged by his Quebec wing to curry favour with Quebec nationalists to battle for Bloc Québécois votes in the regions. This risks dashing any hopes for Montreal ridings where minority communities are more prevalent.
Incumbency fatigue is hard enough to shake off at the best of times, but so much seems to have gone sideways with the Trudeau administration. Current numbers indicate that the next election will be a cakewalk for Poilievre. To make inroads in Quebec, though, he may need to walk a tightrope. He also owes it to Canadians to tell us more about his proposed solutions.