Bloc’s Blanchet tries to elbow his way into a campaign largely defined by Trump
As the springtime election in battleground Quebec unfolds, a stop at a traditional cabane à sucre was inevitable for Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet. The leader rallied supporters at a sugar shack in Saint-Eustache, Quebec, this week, aiming to boost the party’s momentum in a challenging campaign.
Despite the festive atmosphere, Blanchet has yet to find his sweet spot in a campaign overshadowed by Canada’s trade war with the United States. Mocking his Liberal rival Mark Carney, Blanchet jokingly pleaded for a majority, highlighting the uphill battle the Bloc faces in regaining ground in Quebec.
Saint-Eustache, located on Montreal’s North Shore, falls within the federal riding of Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, a Bloc stronghold since 2019. However, with previous election victories by narrow margins, Blanchet is aware that retaining the seat is far from guaranteed. Encouraging his supporters to spread the party’s message, Blanchet emphasized the importance of grassroots efforts in securing electoral success.
The Bloc’s pre-campaign surge in the polls following a decisive byelection win in Montreal last September has waned, with the party now trailing behind the Liberals according to the CBC Poll Tracker. Analysts attribute this decline to the changing political landscape, including Justin Trudeau’s resignation as Liberal leader, Carney’s emergence as his successor, and the tariffs imposed by President Trump.
Efforts to capitalize on Carney’s perceived unfamiliarity with Quebec have been central to the Bloc’s strategy. The Liberal leader’s missteps, including mispronouncing a candidate’s name and confusing tragic events in Quebec’s history, have provided ammunition for Blanchet and his supporters. The Bloc has seized on these incidents to portray Carney as out of touch with the province, a narrative they hope will resonate with voters.
Despite the Bloc’s attempts to paint Carney as a stranger to Quebec, the Liberal leader maintains a lead in the polls. Carney’s decision to forego a French-language debate hosted by TVA and subsequent gaffes have not significantly eroded his support. While the Bloc continues to criticize these missteps, pollster Philippe Fournier suggests that unless they become a pattern, they are unlikely to sway voters.
Blanchet’s focus on ridings where the Bloc previously triumphed indicates a defensive strategy aimed at consolidating existing support. However, he remains determined to contest and win new ridings, underscoring his party’s aspirations for growth. As the campaign unfolds, the Bloc faces the challenge of turning the tide in a political landscape that has shifted since the campaign’s inception.
The Bloc Québécois is no stranger to turning campaigns around, as demonstrated in previous elections where they defied expectations to secure significant seat gains. Leveraging Quebec identity issues and championing legislation that resonates with voters have been key to the party’s success. As the current campaign unfolds, Blanchet and the Bloc are banking on their ability to connect with voters on issues that matter to Quebecers, in the hopes of securing a strong electoral showing.
