For the first time in half a century, voters in Papineau have elected a Parti Québécois MNA, helping return the party to power in Quebec with a minority government. The PQ won 59 seats in Monday’s provincial election, five short of a majority, after winning just three seats in 2022. The Coalition Avenir Québec, which won 90 seats four years ago, was shut out entirely. In the Outaouais riding of Papineau, the result marked a return to the PQ for the first time since 1976. The result also made Papineau an exception in the Outaouais, where the Liberals captured the region’s other four ridings. For voters CTV News spoke with on Tuesday, however, the historic result was about much more than Quebec sovereignty. “I’m kind of surprised that it happened, but you know people want some change and all that,” said area resident, Katie Cyrene. Another voter, who supported the CAQ, said declining services in the region may have pushed people to consider another option. “Around the Outaouais, the services are going down year after year, and I think the people want to try something else,” said resident Guy Chartrand. The Parti Québécois remains committed to Quebec independence. Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has repeated his promise to hold another referendum, although he has said one would not take place while U.S. President Donald Trump remains in office. But voters in Papineau expressed different views about sovereignty. “The last time I voted for it and now maybe it’s my age, but I’m not really interested in separation,” said Chartrand. “I’m for it, for Quebec to become independent, but they are not ready to do it,” said another resident, Daniel Goulet. For Goulet, issues such as health care, schools and affordable housing were also top of mind. “Better health care, better schools and everything, more apartments for the poor,” said Goulet. “I think they’re going to do it better than the CAQ.” “I don’t have a doctor, and I have heart disease and I have cancer and everything, but I’m not followed by a doctor because I don’t have one, so we need that.” Cyrene, who spent 33 years in the military, said she opposes Quebec independence and believes other issues should take priority. “There’s other priorities health, education, all kinds of stuff are more of a priority and especially with what’s going on in the states it’s not a good time right now,” said Cyrene. The question now is whether the PQ’s minority government can last until 2029 when the party says the referendum question could return.
