The Parti libéral du Québec (PLQ) has lost another candidate ahead of the general election after Louis-Éric Savoie announced on Facebook Wednesday that he will not run in the riding of Matane-Matapédia-Mitis. Savoie stated that withdrawing his candidacy at the dawn of the campaign was a personal decision and not one made by the party, noting that he had nurtured his candidacy for nearly a year.
Savoie’s departure marks the seventh candidate the PLQ has lost in three months. Earlier departures include Alain Tremblay in Labelle, Marie-Claude Nichols in Vaudreuil, Michel Savard in Gouin, Bernard Bigras-Denis in Argenteuil, and René Verret in Louis-Hébert, alongside the withdrawal of Laurier Michaud’s candidacy in June.
Regional Politics and Polling Challenges in Matane-Matapédia-Mitis
In his withdrawal message, Savoie emphasized the importance of the PLQ listening to Quebec’s regions, where the party failed to elect any député or nearly none during the 2022 general election. Savoie previously ran for the Parti libéral du Canada (PLC) in the 2021 general election in Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, finishing second with 21,5 % and 12 681 votes behind Bloc Québécois candidate Kristina Michaud, who secured 59,8 % of the vote.
Polling projections from Qc125 indicated that the race in Matane-Matapédia-Mitis posed a significant challenge, estimating a roughly 3 % support level for the Liberals in the Bas-Saint-Laurent county. According to the same projections, the riding represents the least winnable district for the PLQ across Quebec. Parti Québécois incumbent Pascal Bérubé is credited with 69 % of voting intentions, compared to 15 % for Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) candidate Henry McLaren.
Did You Know?
Louis-Éric Savoie contributed financial donations to the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) over multiple years during François Legault’s tenure, giving $100 annually from 2019 to 2021, $150 in 2022, and $50 in 2023, according to records from the Directeur général des élections.
Party Stance and Electoral Timeline
PLQ Leader Charles Milliard frequently describes the party as nationalist, regionalist, and federalist, utilizing a campaign slogan structured around three infinitive verbs: Rassembler. Réparer. Bâtir. Following Savoie’s announcement, the party updated its website to name André Côté as its candidate in Matane-Matapédia-Mitis, following a local nomination meeting held on August 16.
The general election in Quebec is scheduled for Monday, October 5, with the official campaign set to launch on Thursday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running for the PLQ in Matane-Matapédia-Mitis after Louis-Éric Savoie’s withdrawal?
The PLQ updated its website to indicate that André Côté will carry the party’s colors in the riding, following an internal nomination meeting held on August 16.
How many candidates has the PLQ lost since early June?
The party has lost seven candidates in total over the three-month period leading up to the election announcement.
When will the Quebec general election take place?
The general election is set for Monday, October 5, with the campaign launching on Thursday.
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