Six New Faces for the Montérégie
Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) leader Éric Duhaime introduced six new candidates for the Montérégie region on June 25. The announcement, held during a campaign event in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, serves as a direct push to secure the party’s first seat in the National Assembly.
Among the new recruits is Luc Sanfaçon, who will contest the Saint-Jean riding.
A Local Candidate’s Path
Sanfaçon, an agro-food industry professional specializing in food quality evaluation, is currently based in Saint-Hyacinthe. Originally from Quebec City, he is a graduate of the Institut de technologie agroalimentaire du Québec.
His connection to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu runs deep; he lived there for seven years. It was in this community that he bought his first home, welcomed his first child, and entered local politics as a candidate for Équipe Paradis in 2013.
A father of five, Sanfaçon points to the rising cost of living as his primary motivation. He cites the financial strain of managing family expenses, particularly the costs associated with health conditions like celiac disease and diabetes, as a driving force behind his decision to run.
Duhaime’s Economic Agenda
Duhaime is currently traversing the province on a summer tour to engage directly with voters. While the party’s formal platform is still under development, the message is clear: inflation and the cost of living are the priorities.
The PCQ aims to boost household disposable income. The party is targeting specific pain points: grocery prices, mortgage renewals, housing access for younger generations, and healthcare accessibility for seniors.
Shunning Constitutional Debate
Duhaime is making a deliberate effort to steer the campaign away from the topic of a potential new referendum on Quebec independence. He argues that such debates are a distraction from the immediate economic pressures facing citizens.
Instead, the party platform will focus on cutting bureaucratic processes, reducing the tax burden, and addressing what it labels as long-term governmental mismanagement.
The Battle for the Legislature
The party’s current presence in the National Assembly is held by Maïté Blanchette Vézina, who joined the ranks after being elected under the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) banner. Duhaime, who reclaimed leadership of the party in 2021, claims the PCQ is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between rural and urban residents.
This Montérégie recruitment drive is part of a broader strategy to disrupt the current five-party division in the legislature. As the election approaches, the PCQ intends to refine its policy proposals based on the feedback gathered during this provincial tour.
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