It might not be all bad news for the premier, with the latest poll showing just how fickle Quebec voters can be — two years to an election.
“Une autre tuile qui tombe sur la tête” (another tile falling on one’s head) is a French expression signalling yet another setback to an already bad situation. That could certainly be applied to Premier François Legault, who seems to be at a point — halfway through his second mandate — where whatever he does or says provokes another bonk on the head.
There are moments in politics when a leader is in such a rut, they swing for the fences in a bid to change the public conversation. This often makes things even worse. And when they’re down, it’s easy for the opposition or the media to portray in an embarrassing light whatever they say on any controversial issue.
However, whether his remarks evoking forced relocation were meant as a desperate attempt to shake Ottawa into action, or a dog whistle to populist sentiment about the high number of newcomers, his words blew up in his face and he was attacked from all sides. His musings about “waiting zones” for asylum seekers were also slammed, even though these have existed for decades in France.
On the one hand, the poll confirms most Quebecers want change. They’re still parking their vote with the PQ and their fresh-faced leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, for now. It also reveals, surprisingly, that the provincial Liberals — which had been left for dead — could jump into the lead if MP Pablo Rodriguez becomes their new leader.
This dramatic Liberal shift, however, is another reminder about how extremely fickle Quebec voters can be. With an election still two years away, Legault may hope the pendulum can ultimately swing back, especially if the economy starts improving.
But he must first make sure the tiles stop falling.