Public Opinion Turns Against CAQ Government
The Coalition Avenir Québec government, led by Premier François Legault, has reached an unprecedented low in popularity following its aggressive push to implement controversial legislation. According to a recent Léger poll conducted in November 2025, public satisfaction with the CAQ has plummeted to a record low of 22 percent, indicating significant erosion of support among Quebec voters.
Medical Reform Bill Sparks Widespread Opposition
The government's attempt to overhaul physician compensation through Bill 2 has backfired spectacularly. The legislation, which aimed to tie doctors' pay to performance, was forced through the National Assembly with only two days for study despite its complex 120-page content. Health Minister Christian Dubé struggled to explain the bill's provisions, while the inclusion of surveillance mechanisms and substantial fines for doctors who might resist by retiring early or reducing hours sparked public outrage.
The Léger survey revealed that 47 percent of Quebecers oppose the changes introduced by Bill 2, while only 27 percent support them. The pollster concluded that the CAQ has lost the battle of public opinion on this crucial healthcare file.
Pattern of Authoritarian Governance Emerges
This approach aligns with what political commentator André Pratte describes as Legault's longstanding tendency toward authoritarian methods. The premier, an accountant and businessman by trade, has demonstrated impatience with democratic processes throughout his tenure.
The government's track record includes several contentious bills that have raised concerns about democratic norms:
- Bill 21 prohibiting religious symbols
- Bill 96 strengthening French language protection
- Bill 1 proposing a provincial constitution that would prevent publicly-funded organizations from challenging legislation in court
- Bill 3 limiting union participation in public debate
Multiple bills have invoked the notwithstanding clause to shield them from constitutional challenges, while the proposed constitution would further restrict legal recourse against government legislation.
Democratic Institutions Sound Alarm
The Quebec Bar has issued a formal warning about the government's legislative direction, stating that these controversial bills will have harmful consequences for our democratic system. This institutional criticism underscores the seriousness of concerns about the CAQ's governance approach.
The government's strategy appears aimed at recapturing nationalist conservative voters who have drifted to the provincial Conservative party or Parti Québécois. However, this tactical shift has instead accelerated the CAQ's decline, with the party now facing its lowest popularity since taking power.
As the Legault government continues to pursue contentious legislation, Quebec finds itself at a crossroads between democratic norms and increasingly authoritarian governance methods that threaten to reshape the province's political landscape.
