François Legault‘s Coalition Avenir Québec will form the next government in Quebec after cruising to a commanding majority for a second time.Global News projected the victory Monday night after a five-week election campaign that saw party leaders crisscross the province in hopes of appealing to voters and their base of supporters.Legault’s party jumped to an early lead, with the call coming in around the 15-minute mark after polls closed on election night.
As of 9:20 p.m, the CAQ was leading or elected in more than 90 ridings — a significant rise from the party’s standing of 76 seats before parliament broke for the summer.
In Quebec, a party needs 63 seats to form a majority. Quebec election results: Live, real-time numbers from the 2022 vote Legault, the incumbent premier and leader of the CAQ, was seen celebrating with family shortly after he was re-elected.
He was well ahead in the polls for most of the campaign — with other major parties at a distant second. Support for the party barely budged despite Legault having faced a tough sprint, including being roundly criticized for his comments on immigration.“I think we can make some gains on the Island of Montreal,” a beaming incumbent Deputy Premier Geneviève Guilbault told Global News after the majority was declared and as votes continued to be counted.Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante congratulated Legault and his team on social media.“We look forward to continuing the work to meet the priorities of Montrealers and municipalities: ecological transition, housing, mobility and safety,” she said.Félicitations à @francoislegault et son équipe!Nous avons hâte de poursuivre le travail pour répondre aux priorités des Montréalais-es et des municipalités : la transition.