Home > Quebec general election, 2003
In the Quebec general election on April 14, 2003, the Quebec Liberal Party under Jean Charest defeated the incumbent Parti Québécois under Bernard Landry.1 Unfolding
In 2002, having been in power for two mandates and seen as worn-out by some, the Parti Québécois (PQ) governement saw its poll numbers fall sharply (placing third at its lowest point) and an important part of its support go to the Action Démocratique du Québec (ADQ) and his young leader, Mario Dumont, and some to the Parti libéral du Québec (PLQ). Bernard Landry, leader of the PQ, undertook a revitalization of the party and its image. Helped by the ideas of the ADQ becoming more and more unpopular as its conservative nature was uncovered, by social democratic measures taken by the PQ government like the passing of the Law against poverty , and the unpopularity of PLQ leader Jean Charest, the Parti Québécois succeded in gaining back popularity in the beginning of 2004 to become again number one in polls.
The 2003 Quebec election itself happened over the backdrop of the war in Irak. The very battles took place during the first half of the campaign, diverting the attention of the media and the population. Bernard Landry became known for his custom of wearing the white ribbonThe white ribbon as other ribbons, is used by political movements to signify or spread their beliefs. It is usually worn on garnment or represented in propaganda (posters, leaflets, etc. The Anti-violence against women movement After the Ecole Polytechniq (which was in 2003 Quebec worn by people in favor of peace). This custom was shortly followed by the two other main party leaders, Jean Charest and Mario Dumont. Landry was the most outspoken critic of the war. The other two were more discreet on the matter, Charest once stating that it was an opportunity to reaffirm his belief in peace and Dumont acting in a similar way, while also addressing criticism to Landry, saying that Quebecers should refrain from criticizing Americans too harshly, Americans being historical friends of Quebecers.
The desire for change was considered an important factor of the campaign (see Change sub-section of Issues, below). However, while reminding the fundamental change at the core of its primary ideal of sovereigntyQuebec sovereigntism is a political orientation calling for the attainment of sovereignty for Quebec, a province of the Canadian federation. The sovereigntists propose that Quebecers exercise their right to self-determination in order to democratically gi, the PQ focused its message and publicity not on change, but on stability (as it is apparent in its slogan; see the Campaign slogans section below). Landry also painted the vote as a choice between the leftIn politics, left-wing political left leftism or simply the left are terms which refer (with no particular precision) to the segment of the political spectrum typically associated with any of several strains of socialism, social democracy, or liberalism ( of the PQ and two parties of the right. The PLQ painted itself as centrist, something that would, after its election, be contested by the massive opposition to his governmentMassive popular opposition to the Charest government newly elected at the April 14, 2003 Quebec election, arose mere weeks after voting day, but more acutely from the autumn of 2003. It takes many forms, mainly those of great public protests of citizens o. The PLQ produced dynamic ads and material, and released a new, younger . The ADQ put forward its young, underdog leader and denied being too much to the right. It first broadcast a negative advertisement (a bleak television spot speaking of deaths in the hospitals) that backfired substantially, with criticism from opponents and citizens. It shortly released a brighter, more positive publicity.
Despite an impressive PQ comeback, Charest managed to play his cards well enough to appear as a viable alternative for people in desire of change (especially during the Leaders' Debate). Also, the Parizeau Affair that Charest himself sparked is said to have harmed Landry's campaign up to election day. The PQ advance vanished mid-campaign. The Parti Québécois won a respectable number of seats, but the Parti Libéral won the election. The Action démocratique du Québec under Mario Dumont won four seats, which was a considerable improvement from previous general elections, but nonetheless an important disappointment since the party had five sitting members as a result of by-election victories in the previous year and a quite high standing in the polls of that same year. This was the first general election for the new Union des forces progressistes. A documentary about Bernard Landry's point of view of the campaign was released in 2003 called À Hauteur d'homme. It was directed by Jean-Claude Labrecque .
