Couillard may call Quebec's general election earlier than planned

Quebec City Premier Philippe Couillard is seriously considering calling the general election a few days earlier than planned so politicians can spend a extra time on the campaign trail.

Politicians could be hitting the campaign trail as early as Aug. 23

CBC News Posted: Aug 07, 2018 8:07 AM EDT | Last Updated: August 7, 2018

Radio-Canada sources say Liberal Party Premier Philippe Couillard could call the election early with hopes that the longer campaign would give the CAQ's Franois Legault more time to stumble. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)

Premier Philippe Couillard is "seriously considering" calling the general election a few days earlier than planned so politicians can spendextra time on the campaign trail, Radio-Canada reports.

Though the Oct. 1 election day will not change, provinciallaw allows election campaigns to last a minimum of 33 days to a maximum of 39 days.

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It was widely believed that Couillard would call the election on Aug. 29, sticking with the 33-day minimum.

However, Radio-Canada sources have confirmed that Couillard, leader of the Liberal Party, has not nailed down an exact date, but he could call the election as early as Aug. 23 or the weekend of Aug. 25 and 26.

By calling the election early, the Liberal party would force runner-upFranois Legault, leader of the Coalition avenir Qubec (CAQ), into the electoral area earlier than planned.

The hope, Radio-Canada reports, is that the longer campaign would create more opportunity for Legault to stumble as the CAQ leads in the polls.

On Tuesday morning, Legaultwelcomed the challenge in a tweet.

"Elections launched earlier?" Legaultwrote in French. "Good!I look forward to campaigning with my great team, presenting our ideas to Quebecers and turning the page on 15 years of Liberal government.When you want, Mr. Couillard."

Des lections dclenches plus tt? Tant mieux! Jai hte de faire campagne avec ma formidable quipe, prsenter nos ides aux Qubcois et tourner la page sur 15 ans de gouvernement libral. Quand vous voulez, M. Couillard.
—@francoislegault

Later,Jean-Franois Lise, leader of theParti qubcois, added histhoughts via tweet, saying histeam is ready to end the "dark years" under the Liberal Party on Oct. 1.

"More election campaign days?"Lisewrote in French. "It will give us more time to present our credible solutions!"

Des jours de campagne lectorale de plus? a nous laissera plus de temps pour prsenter nos solutions crdibles!

Mon quipe et moi sommes prts, nos militants sont mobiliss, notre organisation est rode. Nous avons hte de mettre fin aux annes sombres du PLQ le 1er oct! #PolQc
—@JFLisee

With files from Radio-Canada

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Couillard may call Quebec's general election earlier than planned

Politicians could be hitting the campaign trail as early as Aug. 23

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