{"id":180639,"date":"2026-08-24T12:59:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T12:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/180639\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T12:59:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T12:59:13","slug":"quebecs-anglos-allophones-overwhelmingly-back-liberals-reject-sovereignist-parties-new-poll-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/180639\/","title":{"rendered":"Quebec\u2019s anglos, allophones overwhelmingly back Liberals, reject sovereignist parties, new poll finds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Quebec\u2019s English-speaking and allophone vote is coalescing around two parties, and the Parti Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois, despite leading provincewide<\/a>, is not one of them.<\/p>\n

The Quebec Liberal Party, led by Charles Milliard, commands the majority of support among decided voters in those communities, at 55 per cent, according to a new L\u00e9ger poll commissioned by The Gazette and National Post.<\/p>\n

The nearest rival is \u00c9ric Duhaime\u2019s Conservative Party of Quebec, sitting at 20 per cent. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the governing Coalition Avenir Qu\u00e9bec, led by Premier Christine Fr\u00e9chette, draws nine per cent.<\/p>\n

The PQ sits at seven per cent, while Qu\u00e9bec solidaire, which is also sovereignist, draws six per cent. Together, the two sovereignist parties have the support of 13 per cent of decided anglophone and allophone voters.<\/p>\n

The poll comes as PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon prepares to campaign on holding a third sovereignty referendum. English-speaking Quebecers have historically been strongly federalist. <\/p>\n

Still, St-Pierre Plamondon has sought to court their vote, attempting to rally English speakers at public events and in an open letter published two weeks ago by National Post<\/a>. In the letter, he argued that English and French speakers share common ground and promised that the rights of anglophones would be protected in an independent Quebec.<\/p>\n

But the Liberal lead persists<\/a> across every demographic group measured in the L\u00e9ger poll on the anglophone and allophone vote. <\/p>\n

The party draws 59 per cent among English speakers and 52 per cent among allophones. Its support stands at 57 per cent in Greater Montreal and 48 per cent elsewhere in Quebec among those groups, rising to 69 per cent among voters 55 and older.<\/p>\n

The PQ performs somewhat better among allophones (11 per cent) than among anglophones, only three per cent of whom support the party, but remains far behind the Liberals in both groups.<\/p>\n

Responding to St-Pierre Plamondon\u2019s outreach to anglophones, Milliard said one letter would not overcome decades of mistrust.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe English-speaking community knows very well what the PQ thinks of the community,\u201d Milliard said. \u201cI think one open letter won\u2019t change anything. It\u2019s been 50 years of trying to divide Quebecers.\u201d<\/p>\n

St-Pierre Plamondon has since promised not to hold a referendum while U.S. President Donald Trump remains in office<\/a>, citing the uncertain political climate and continuing trade conflicts<\/a>. He said a PQ government would still hold one during its first mandate, but not before Jan. 20, 2029, when Trump\u2019s presidency is scheduled to end.<\/p>\n

The L\u00e9ger survey was conducted from Aug. 12 to 16, before that announcement, so the results do not show whether the delay will change voters\u2019 views.<\/p>\n

The poll also suggests cost of living and health care are among anglophone and allophone voters\u2019 leading concerns.<\/p>\n

Respondents were more likely to favour easing Quebec\u2019s language-protection measures<\/a> than strengthening them. They were also more likely to say Bill 21 \u2014 the secularism law that bars certain public-sector workers, including teachers, from wearing religious symbols at work \u2014 goes too far than not far enough.<\/p>\n

At the same time, a majority agreed French can be protected while Quebec\u2019s English-speaking and allophone communities are respected.<\/p>\n

Trust in the provincial government also emerged as a concern. A majority said it does not take the concerns of English-speaking Quebecers into account.<\/p>\n

Fr\u00e9chette is expected to make the official election call this week, with the vote taking place Oct. 5.<\/p>\n

The Gazette and National Post asked L\u00e9ger to survey Quebec voters who identified as anglophones or allophones. From Aug. 12 to 16, 601 eligible voters who had signed up for L\u00e9ger\u2019s online surveys took part. The results were adjusted to better match the population in age, gender, mother tongue, region, education and whether respondents had children. A random poll of this size would be accurate within four percentage points, 19 times out of 20.<\/p>\n

What do you think about this upcoming election? Write to me: hnorth@postmedia.com<\/p>\n

\t\tEditor\u2019s Picks\t<\/p>\n

On Quebec Politics<\/p>\n

The Gazette\u2019s On Quebec Politics newsletter by Andy Riga breaks down key election issues, from polling shifts to legislative manoeuvring to ideas circulating in francophone commentary that don\u2019t make it into English-language coverage.<\/p>\n

To sign up, visit this page<\/a> and check the box labelled \u201cOn Quebec Politics\u201d before providing your email address.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Profile<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tI\u2019ve been writing for the Montreal Gazette since 2023. My favourite stories are ones that make you think and I’m always looking for new ways to tell them. At McGill, I studied economics and computer science. Now I live in the city\u2019s Plateau, where I wear Doc Martens to try and blend in among the hipsters. Got a story? Email me.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\thnorth@postmedia.com
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