CBC News
Premier Philippe Couillard is “seriously considering” calling the general election a few days earlier than planned so politicians can spend a extra time on the campaign trail, Radio-Canada reports.
Though the Oct. 1 election day will not change, provincial law allows election campaigns to last a minimum of 33 days to a maximum of 39 days.
It was widely believed that Couillard would call the election on Aug. 29, sticking with the 33-day minimum.
However, Radio-Canada sources have confirmed that Couillard, leader of the Liberal Party, has not nailed down an exact date, but he could call the election as early as Aug. 23 or the weekend of Aug. 25 and 26.
By calling the election early, the Liberal party would force runner-up François Legault, leader of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ), into the electoral area earlier than planned.
The hope, Radio-Canada reports, is that the longer campaign would create more opportunity for Legault to stumble as the CAQ leads in the polls.
On Tuesday morning, Legault welcomed the challenge in a tweet.
“Elections launched earlier?” Legault wrote in French. “Good! I look forward to campaigning with my great team, presenting our ideas to Quebecers and turning the page on 15 years of Liberal government. When you want, Mr. Couillard.”
Later, Jean-François Lisée, leader of the Parti québécois, added his thoughts via tweet, saying his team is ready to end the “dark years” under the Liberal Party on Oct. 1.
“More election campaign days?” Lisée wrote in French. “It will give us more time to present our credible solutions!”
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-elections-may-be-earlier-than-planned-1.4776004
