Coalition for the Future of Quebec
Encyclopedia
The Coalition for the Future of Quebec ( or CAQ in abbreviation) is a political party in the Canadian
province of Quebec
. Founded by former cabinet minister
François Legault
and businessman Charles Sirois
, its aim is to "solidify the fundamentals of (Quebec) society" and "propose a rallying action plan" without a debate about Quebec sovereignty which has been the dividing point between the two major parties in the province: the Quebec Liberal Party and the Parti Québécois
.
Its politics have been described in the Anglophone press as centre-right
. However, the party describes itself as of neither the left nor the right, "ni à gauche, ni à droite". They also describes itself as of centre-right on economic issues, while left of centre on social ones. Its supporters include social democrats and business leaders.
Several opinion polls have suggested that were the party could win a plurality of votes in the next Quebec general election. Toronto Star
columnist Chantal Hébert
has written that while the party could be a "game changer" and notes the strong support among opinion polls, she suggests the party faces major challenges due to a crowded political landscape and similar views to the Action démocratique du Québec
(ADQ) party. In September 2011, the Coalition began discussions with the ADQ on the possibility of a merger between the two groups.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. Founded by former cabinet minister
Executive Council of Quebec
The Executive Council of Quebec is the cabinet of the government of Quebec, Canada....
François Legault
François Legault
François Legault is a politician in Quebec, Canada, and former member of the National Assembly of Quebec. A member of the Parti Québécois , he was first elected in the 1998 Quebec election in the riding of Rousseau in the Lanaudière region.-Life and career:Legault was born in...
and businessman Charles Sirois
Charles Sirois
Charles Sirois, is a Canadian businessman. He is the founder, controlling shareholder, Chairman and CEO of Telesystem Ltd., a Canadian private equity company....
, its aim is to "solidify the fundamentals of (Quebec) society" and "propose a rallying action plan" without a debate about Quebec sovereignty which has been the dividing point between the two major parties in the province: the Quebec Liberal Party and the Parti Québécois
Parti Québécois
The Parti Québécois is a centre-left political party that advocates national sovereignty for the province of Quebec and secession from Canada. The Party traditionally has support from the labour movement. Unlike many other social-democratic parties, its ties with the labour movement are informal...
.
Its politics have been described in the Anglophone press as centre-right
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
. However, the party describes itself as of neither the left nor the right, "ni à gauche, ni à droite". They also describes itself as of centre-right on economic issues, while left of centre on social ones. Its supporters include social democrats and business leaders.
Several opinion polls have suggested that were the party could win a plurality of votes in the next Quebec general election. Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
columnist Chantal Hébert
Chantal Hébert
Chantal Hébert is a Canadian columnist and political commentator.-Life and career:Hébert was born in Ottawa, Ontario. She is the eldest of 5 children. In 1966 her family moved to Toronto where the 12-year-old was enrolled in École secondaire catholique Monseigneur-de-Charbonnel...
has written that while the party could be a "game changer" and notes the strong support among opinion polls, she suggests the party faces major challenges due to a crowded political landscape and similar views to the Action démocratique du Québec
Action démocratique du Québec
The Action démocratique du Québec, commonly referred to as the ADQ is a centre-right political party in Quebec, Canada. On the sovereignty question, it defines itself as autonomist, and has support from both soft nationalists and federalists....
(ADQ) party. In September 2011, the Coalition began discussions with the ADQ on the possibility of a merger between the two groups.