Quebec premier aware people ‘are angry with him’ as backlash grows against him

When asked about what mistakes he made, François Legault didn't elaborate but pointed to a number of different reasons for the growing dissatisfaction among voters.

Quebec Premier François Legault says he is “very aware that Quebecers are angry with him” as his once-popular government faces backlash and a slip in the polls.

“I can see that Quebecers are unhappy about my decisions so I will try to do better,” he told reporters Wednesday in the provincial legislature.

When asked about what mistakes he made, Legault didn’t elaborate but pointed to a number of different reasons for the growing dissatisfaction. He continued walking the halls as journalists asked if he was losing control of his Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) caucus.

The premier’s comments came after a recent Pallas Data poll found his party was no longer the top choice among voters in the province.

The survey — which was conducted late last week for L’Actualité and poll-aggregating website QC125 — revealed that 30 per cent of respondents would vote for the Parti Québécois (PQ). Meanwhile, only 24 per cent of respondents said they would vote for the CAQ if an election were today.

It’s a stark contrast for Legault, whose party pulled off a decisive victory in 2018. With a whopping majority, the CAQ was the first new party to form government in the province since René Lévesque became Parti Québécois premier in 1976.

But Legault, who has largely maintained popularity and snagged a second majority win in 2022, is facing growing criticism both within the walls of his party and from voters.

There is an outcry over the province’s plan to spend between $5 million and $7 million to bring the Los Angeles Kings to Quebec City for two pre-season hockey matches against the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers next year. Criticism intensified when the Montreal Canadiens confirmed they would have been willing to play those same games for free.