Here’s why there will be no English-language debate before the fall Quebec election

Political analyst Raphael Melancon on why there will be no English-language leaders' debate before this fall's general election in Quebec.

There will be no English-language debate among the leaders of Quebec’s major political parties ahead of the October general election.

On April 30, a consortium of Quebec English news media outlets invited the five leaders to a debate on Sept. 24, and only two responded immediately with a categorical “yes.”

“As members of the consortium of English-language news media in Quebec, we believe that all Quebecers should have the opportunity to hear the leaders of the main political parties present their ideas and vision for Quebec and to discuss them together,” reads one letter of invitation. “We therefore invite you to take part in a 90-minute debate in English.”

Here’s what the parties said.

Québec Solidaire (QS)

The current second opposition party, Québec Solidaire (QS), said the day after the request was made that co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal would take part in the debate.

The QS has 11 seats, and eight per cent of non-francophone voters would choose the party in October, according to a June Leger survey.

The total support for QS is six per cent.

Conservative Party of Quebec (CPQ)

Much like QS, the Conservative Party of Quebec said on May 1 that leader Éric Duhaime would participate in the debate.

The CPQ has one seat in the legislature, and 10 per cent of non-francophone voters were in favour of the party, according to the Leger survey.

The party is polling at 10 per cent of the overall vote.

Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ)

On May 16, a Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) spokesperson declined the offer: “Having reviewed our campaign schedule and existing commitments, we must decline your invitation to take part in the English-language debate.”

Premier Christine Fréchette appeared on The Elias Makos Show on CJAD 800 radio on June 15, and said, “Our government cares a lot about the English-speaking community and we want to have a dialogue.”

She did not reverse the May 16 decision, however.

The CAQ was second in non-francophone voter intention in the Leger survey at 13 per cent, while its overall support is at 16 per cent.

The CAQ currently has 79 seats.

Parti Québécois (PQ)

A PQ spokesman confirmed on June 22 that St-Paul Plamondon would not take part.

“The increase in the number of debates in general, as well as the number of leaders’ engagements, means we have to make choices so that we can devote a significant part of the campaign to canvassing,” he said. “We are, of course, determined to find other opportunities to address the English-speaking community during the campaign.”

In the Leger survey, 12 per cent of non-francophone voters would opt for the PQ, third among the five parties. The PQ is leading overall voting intentions at 23 per cent.

The PQ has seven seats.

Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ)

On June 23, a Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) spokesperson told the consortium that the party would participate in a debate if all five parties were participating.

The Leger survey found that the majority of non-francophone voters (53 per cent) would vote for leader Charles Milliard’s party, and the PLQ would receive the second most votes at 21 per cent.

The PLQ currently has 18 seats.

In 2018, Quebec English news media, including CTV News and CJAD 800, hosted a historic debate with all leaders.

In 2022, former premier François Legault declined for the CAQ and PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon also said he would not participate.

If the debate had happened, it would have been broadcast by CTV Montreal, CJAD 800, CBC Quebec, Global Montreal, CityNews Montreal and The Gazette.