Charest loses rule, own riding

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/09/2012 (5018 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SHERBROOKE, Que. — Dozens of Liberal supporters sat in stunned silence in Jean Charest’s home riding as their local political hero lost his government.

Later, many booed when news outlets reported Charest had lost his own riding of Sherbrooke to Parti Quebecois candidate Serge Cardin. Charest’s defeat was later confirmed.

More than 100 people watched as the election results rolled in on a big-screen TV at the Liberal headquarters in Charest’s hometown of Sherbrooke.

It was the first time Charest lost his own seat in his 28-year political career — a stretch that took place entirely in this city.

The 54-year-old Charest had won eight consecutive votes at the federal and provincial levels.

The Liberal loss brings Charest’s nine-year run as Quebec’s leader to an end — leaving Ontario’s Dalton McGuinty with the longest streak by a Canadian premier.

Outcome not so bad for Harper, Tories

OTTAWA, Ont. — Stephen Harper was never such a big fan of topsy-turvy minority governments — but one in Quebec City might suit him just fine.

The prime minister became well acquainted with the limitations and uncertainties of not winning an outright majority of seats over two consecutive elections. PQ Leader Pauline Marois now faces similar obstacles as she tries to push ahead with a separatist agenda while facing two other parties who want nothing to do with a referendum.

For Harper, it’s the best of the worst-case scenarios.

On Tuesday, Harper congratulated Marois while emphasizing her failure to win a majority on a sovereignty platform.

“We do not believe that Quebecers wish to revisit the old constitutional battles of the past. Our government will remain focused on jobs, economic growth and sound management of the economy,” Harper said.

— The Canadian Press