Quebec Elections Highlight Montreal's Austerity Crisis

The provincial elections are coming up and our current provincial government, the Coalition Avenir Québec – also known as the CAQ – is in the lead by a LONG shot. 

In this episode, we’ll be looking into how the party has led the province for the last five years – especially during a global pandemic. 

Before we dig into the CAQ, let’s look at the polls. The CAQ leads, followed by the Liberals, Quebec Solidaire, the Conservative party of Quebec and the Parti Quebecois. 

The CAQ led the province during a difficult time, as the province and the rest of the world experienced a pandemic, resulting in more than 6 million deaths worldwide.

So how did the CAQ handle the pandemic? Since March 2020, more than 16 thousand Quebecers have died from the Coronavirus. GRAPH

Quebec is not yet out of the pandemic despite regulations ending, as more than 5,000 cases were detected in the province at the end of August. Our province has the second highest COVID-19 cases, trailing behind Ontario.

The province’s healthcare system – described as “crumbling” – was essential in the fight against COVID-19. But many Quebeccers were failed, including senior citizens in long-term care homes. More than 60% of deaths in the first wave were deaths in long-term care homes. Some seniors were even stranded, as CHSLD workers in Montreal left many soiled in their beds, unfed and without other essential care. 

Leader François Legault promised an additional $400 million to recruit 660 doctors and 5,000 health professionals if he's re-elected premier. Legault blamed the pandemic for the party’s failure to meet promises made during their last election – including all Quebecers having access to a family doctor. 800,000 Quebecers are on a waiting list for a family doctor. Statistics from a year ago show that in Montreal, 169,000 are waiting for a family doctor. 

Just days after Legault promised all Quebeccers would receive a family doctor if the party were reelected, the CAQ backtracked, saying it will not be possible. 

Let’s look at another contentious issue for the CAQ: Immigration.

Legault recently came under fire for his comment linking immigrants to violence and extremism. But this isn’t the only harm Legault has done to immigrants. Aside from promoting and passing secular laws that target women who wear the hijab and those that don other religious symbols, the CAQ has decreased the number of immigrants they allow into the country while increasing the number of foreign workers they rely on to help the province’s economy. 

The CAQ increased the number of temporary foreign workers they allow into the country, simultaneously decreasing immigration. As Canada’s immigration numbers rise, Quebec’s go in the other direction. In 2019, Legault promised to cut immigration by 20%. 

Allowing temporary foreign workers into the province means they can contribute to Quebec’s economy, working essential jobs, but can’t use their time here to apply for residency. 

French language is declining in the province, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau chiming in, commenting that French is declining in the country, calling it “concerning”. 

The CAQ’s response to preserving French language is through Bill 96. One of the more concerning parts of this law, particularly for Anglophone and immigrant communities, is that they will not be guaranteed access to healthcare in English.

Some healthcare workers are even leaving the industry, citing their reasoning is the crumbling system and Bill 96 causing barriers in many accessing healthcare.

Last month, the Liberals said Bill 96 “completely misses the mark in promoting French, while also going too far in abrogating rights and freedoms.” – however the Liberals supported key components of the law when it was passed in June. The conservatives also recently came out against Bill 96, stating they would repeal it if they win the election. The Parti Québécois voted against Bill 96, stating the legislation did not go far enough in protecting the French language in Quebec

Quebec Solidaire supports bill 96, but supports Indigenous sovereignty at the same time. But can these two co-exist? 

In the Spring, youth from Kahnawake blocked the The Mercier Bridge to protest Bill 96, with the spokesperson stating “Our language, our culture, we feel as if it’s being attacked. We feel as if they are trying to colonize us all over again,” citing a time when Mohawk elders were banned from learning their own language.

Those attending CEGEP would be required to take more french courses, a barrier for students coming from the reserve, as French is their second language – as the community aims to preserve Kanien'kéha. Some say forcing another colonial language on communities trying to uphold their own – following centuries of forced assimilation – is colonialism. The bill also generates fear that it will discourage some from continuing education after high school.