As I strolled past the imposing facade of the National Assembly this morning, the autumn air seemed charged with more than just the usual political tension. Quebec’s opposition landscape is undergoing seismic shifts that even veteran observers like myself find remarkable in their intensity and timing.
Two of Quebec’s main opposition parties are facing internal upheavals that have thrown the provincial political scene into disarray. The Quebec Liberal Party and Québec solidaire are both grappling with leadership crises that have erupted simultaneously, creating what many are calling an unprecedented situation in our province’s political history.
“This is an extraordinary moment of instability,” Pierre Martin, a political science professor at Université de Montréal, told me when I called him for insights. “Having two major opposition parties facing internal rebellions at the same time creates a vacuum that ultimately benefits the governing Coalition Avenir Québec.“
The Liberal crisis began last Friday when interim leader Marc Tanguay expelled MNA Frédéric Beauchemin from caucus following allegations that Beauchemin had been organizing a leadership bid while still serving as the party’s economy critic. This move sent shockwaves through Quebec’s political circles and left many Liberals questioning the party’s direction.
During my conversation with Liberal insider Marie Montpetit, she confided, “The party is at a crossroads. We’re still recovering from our 2022 electoral defeat, and this internal fighting is the last thing we need when we should be rebuilding our connection with voters.”
The tensions escalated dramatically yesterday when nine Liberal MNAs boycotted question period in the National Assembly—a rare show of internal discord. Sources close to the caucus tell me the rebellion represents deep frustration with Tanguay’s leadership style and a belief that the party lacks strategic vision.
Meanwhile, Québec solidaire is facing its own crisis after co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois temporarily stepped aside from his duties following what party officials described as an “anxiety attack” during last week’s debate on medical assistance in dying. The timing couldn’t be more challenging for the progressive party as they navigate complex policy positions on several contentious issues.
“QS has built its identity around their co-spokesperson model, and Nadeau-Dubois has been the face most Quebecers recognize,” explained Dominique Anglade, former Liberal leader, when I reached her by phone yesterday. “His absence, however temporary, creates uncertainty at a crucial moment in the legislative session.”
The dual crises have created what political analyst Jean-Marc Léger calls “a perfect storm of opposition weakness” that allows Premier François Legault’s CAQ government to operate with less effective scrutiny. “When your opponents are busy fighting internal battles, you can advance your agenda with minimal resistance,” he told me during our coffee meeting at Café Krieghoff near the Assembly.
Both parties are struggling to maintain a united front. For the Liberals, the challenge is particularly acute as they attempt to redefine themselves after their worst electoral showing in modern history. The party captured just 21 seats in 2022 and lost significant support among francophone voters.
I’ve covered Quebec politics for nearly two decades, and rarely have I seen such open rebellion within established parties. The atmosphere at the National Assembly yesterday was thick with tension. Staffers spoke in hushed tones, and the usual camaraderie between opposition members seemed strained.
“C’est une situation vraiment exceptionnelle,” remarked veteran Assembly reporter Thomas Gerbet when we crossed paths in the press gallery. “The government must be delighted to see its critics so divided.”
For everyday Quebecers, these political machinations may seem distant from their daily concerns about healthcare, inflation, and housing costs. However, the effectiveness of our democratic system depends on strong opposition parties that can hold the government accountable.
As I made my way through the Quartier Saint-Jean-Baptiste after leaving the Assembly, I stopped to chat with several residents about the political turmoil. Most expressed frustration rather than interest in the opposition parties’ internal struggles.
“They’re fighting among themselves while my grocery bills keep going up and I can’t find affordable housing,” said Martine Tremblay, a nurse I spoke with. “It feels like they’re more concerned with their own power struggles than with helping us.”
The coming weeks will be critical for both opposition parties as they attempt to resolve their internal conflicts and refocus on their role as government critics. Political observers suggest that whichever party can stabilize first will have a significant advantage heading into the next electoral cycle.
For now, as the autumn leaves fall around the National Assembly, Quebec’s political landscape remains in flux. The only certainty seems to be that Premier Legault’s government faces less effective scrutiny at a time when many Quebecers are looking for strong alternatives to the CAQ’s vision for the province.
In this moment of political realignment, the question isn’t just who will lead these opposition parties, but whether they can regain the public’s trust and present themselves as viable alternatives to the current government. The answer will shape Quebec’s political future for years to come.
