With 2 days left to go, Blanchet has spent most of his campaign in Bloc-blue ridings
On Saturday, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet embarked on a six-hour journey to and from Val-d’Or, a riding that has historically been a stronghold for the Bloc Québécois but is now facing a potential shift to the Liberal Party. Despite the significant amount of time spent travelling, Blanchet defended his decision, emphasizing the importance of every region in Quebec, including Abitibi-Baie James-Nunavik-Eeyou.
Political observers have raised concerns about the resource-intensive Val-d’Or trip, questioning whether it is the best use of time at this stage of the campaign. With the Bloc currently projected to lose a third of its seats in the House of Commons, the pressure is on Blanchet to shore up support in multiple ridings where the party is at risk of losing ground.
In a bid to position himself as an alternative to a potential Liberal majority, Blanchet has openly acknowledged his belief that Mark Carney and the Liberals are likely to win the election. He has urged Quebecers to vote for the Bloc Québécois to prevent a Liberal majority and to ensure that Quebec’s interests are protected in Ottawa.
Despite facing challenges in several ridings, Blanchet has maintained that he is not merely playing defense. A CBC News analysis revealed that he has visited different ridings 76 times during the campaign, with a majority of those visits focused on Bloc-held seats. While he has spent a significant amount of time in the Greater Montreal Area, Blanchet has also made efforts to bolster support in regions where the Bloc faces stiff competition.
Blanchet’s campaign has received a late-game boost with an endorsement from Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. In a scathing letter, St-Pierre Plamondon warned of the dangers posed by a Liberal majority government and urged voters to support the Bloc Québécois. While the question of Quebec’s sovereignty has not been a central focus of the Bloc’s campaign, St-Pierre Plamondon’s endorsement could sway undecided nationalist voters in the province.
As the campaign draws to a close, Blanchet faces the challenge of maintaining the Bloc’s position in Quebec’s political landscape. While a showing of 20 to 25 seats would be a disappointment for the party, there is a possibility that they could hold the balance of power in a minority Parliament. As Quebecers head to the polls on Monday, the fate of the Bloc Québécois hangs in the balance, with Blanchet hoping to secure enough support to protect Quebec’s interests on the federal stage.
