The aftermath: utterly defeated

The election is over, with all ridings declared. Now is a time to take a look at how the projection ranges matched up to actual results:
PQ     25-30% [actual 25.4] (-1.6) 32-50 seats [actual 30] (-10)
PLQ    37-42% [actual 41.5] (+1.5) 60-78 seats [actual 70] ( = )
CAQ    21-25% [actual 23.1] (+0.6)  8-18 seats [actual 22] (+ 9)
QS      7-10% [actual  7.6] (-0.4)  2- 3 seats [actual  3] (+ 1)
ON      0- 1% [actual  0.7] (-0.1)  0- 0 seats [actual  0] ( = )
PVQ     0- 1% [actual  0.6] (+0.1)  0- 0 seats [actual  0] ( = )
Other   0- 2% [actual  1.1] (+0.2)  0- 1 seats [actual  0] ( = )
Black is for within range, red for out of range, differences calculated from median.

As you can see, the polls (and hence, the vote share projection) did extremely well, with everything falling inside the margins. The Liberal majority was also very accurately predicted, with exactly 70 seats. The third QS seat was also within range.

Clearly, however, errors were made with the PQ and CAQ seat projection. Last week I said, "As for the CAQ, incumbency could really be a huge factor for them, especially now that they're on a clear upswing. It's highly likely that the CAQ will save more of their seats than most people expect." It was with this reasoning that I had the CAQ at 13 seats, or between 8 and 18, even as other predictions had them at a maximum of 11. It turns out even that was not enough.

Not only did they save their seats, they actually increased their seat count over last election, even while losing several seats to the Liberals. The size of the PQ collapse allowed Legault to pick up more than enough seats to make up the difference. This is because, even though the CAQ actually dropped 4 points of the popular vote from 2012, the PQ lost nearly 7 points, even worse than expected.

Perhaps, however, the greatest indicator of the magnitude of the PQ defeat was Pauline Marois' loss in her own seat by nearly 800 votes. Her resignation was swift, but notably, Pierre Karl Peladeau was first to make a speech broadcast on television and offer congratulations to Couillard. Words of congratulations to another party leader are normally only spoken by a party leader. Was Couillard signalling his intentions to replace Marois?

There are painful days of soul-searching ahead for the PQ, with a potentially divisive leadership campaign between the traditional unionist wing and the possible "PKP wing" of the party. In this light, I would not be surprised if Legault and the CAQ takes the de facto role of Official Opposition, both in legislature and the eyes of Quebecers, in the following months.

Sovereignty is down, and Canada can breathe a sign of relief. Now the question is, is it out?

Quebec final call & scenarios

Forum has, once again, come out with a shocking poll at the last minute. It shows the PQ vote collapsing (24) and the PLQ gaining (44). The CAQ is again much higher (23) and is nipping at the heals of the PQ. Angus Reid also did a poll, their first in Quebec in several years now, showing a similar close race between the CAQ (25) and PQ (27), but with a much lower Liberal score (39).

With these figures, the PQ once again loses seats in the projection:
PQ     25-30% [median 27.0] (1.4) 32-50 seats [median 40] (5)
PLQ    37-42% [median 40.2] (0.9) 60-78 seats [median 70] (1)
CAQ    21-25% [median 22.5] (1.6)  8-18 seats [median 13] (4)
QS      7-10% [median  8.0] (1.3)  2- 3 seats [median  2] (=)
ON      0- 1% [median  0.8] (0.2)  0- 0 seats [median  0] (=)
PVQ     0- 1% [median  0.5] (0.1)  0- 0 seats [median  0] (=)
Other   0- 2% [median  0.9] (0.1)  0- 1 seats [median  0] (=)

There are several alternate scenarios which could play out, by decreasing likelihood. The main projection is, of course, still the most likely scenario.

1) Angus Reid was the top performer in the many federal and provincial elections. They're right again, and the CAQ vote ends up very close to the PQ:
PLQ 65-71, PQ 33-39, CAQ 16-20, QS 2-3
The PQ edge in efficiency keeps them well ahead in seats.

2) Liberal ballot box bonus, a la 2012 (or, Forum is right):
PLQ 82-88, PQ 24-30, CAQ 9-13, QS 2
Massive Liberal majority, PQ disaster. Liberal strength keeps CAQ down despite vote over 20%.

3) The PQ completely collapses, CAQ carries momentum to finish ahead (in votes). In this situation, the Liberals also drop a bit:
PLQ 59-65, PQ 29-35, CAQ 25-31, QS 2-4
Liberal majority in question, as well as who gets the Official Opposition. PQ weakness also opens up a third and fourth seat to QS. Most exciting situation.

4) Completely defying momentum and trends, the PQ recovers (obviously least likely):
PLQ 53-59, PQ 51-57, CAQ 11-15, QS 2-3
Government formation impossible to predict, CAQ important with balance of power.

Because of the whirlwind end to the campaign, and the CAQ rebounding to dark horse status, there could be a lot of surprises tomorrow night. Once again, we are reminded that campaigns DO matter.

The Politically Uncorrect final call: LIBERAL MAJORITY of 15.

The closing stretch: is the Liberal advantage as solid as it seems?

The campaign is drawing to a close, and all the new polls are pointing at the same thing: a large PLQ lead with the CAQ on the rebound. This projection will likely be the second last one, with the final one coming on Monday morning or so, with all the final adjustments made.

The numbers are here:
PQ     27-31% [median 28.4] (6.2) 41-53 seats [median 45] (8)
PLQ    37-41% [median 39.3] (2.1) 61-75 seats [median 69] (3)
CAQ    19-23% [median 20.9] (7.4)  6-15 seats [median  9] (5)
QS      7-11% [median  9.3] (1.0)  2- 3 seats [median  2] (=)
ON      0- 1% [median  0.6] (0.2)  0- 0 seats [median  0] (=)
PVQ     0- 1% [median  0.6] (0.1)  0- 0 seats [median  0] (=)
Other   0- 2% [median  0.8] (0.2)  0- 1 seats [median  0] (=)

Now is the time to investigate whether the Liberal lead really is as strong as it looks. On paper, a 10+ percentage point lead seems somewhat insurmountable. Alison Redford overcame a small 2pp lead in the polling average, and even Christy Clark "only" overcame an 8pp margin.

The first thing to look at is "likely voters." As many elections have shown us, the people who answer polls may not be the same people who vote. That said, both Ipsos Reid and EKOS have included a "likely voter" formula, and neither shows a bounce for the PQ. I've used their "likely voter" numbers in the poll projection either, so hopefully turnout won't throw this off as far as previous elections.

Looking at recent trends, the PLQ is clearly stagnant or even declining slightly from their peak position. Two weeks ago, they were forecast between 39-44%. Now, that has decreased to 37-41%. A Couillard majority is NOT guaranteed.

However, in the same period, the PQ has had a disastrous stretch, from a forecast of 32-37% to just 27-31%. Those ranges don't even overlap! The only thing that the PQ can hope for now is an incumbency bonus. Usually, incumbent members or governments get a bounce at the ballot box, and they perform better than polls suggest. I may tweak the numbers slightly to account for that in the final update. At this point, though, it looks like the Liberal lead is fairly safe. It would take a small miracle for Marois to pull out a victory now.

As for the CAQ, incumbency could really be a huge factor for them, especially now that they're on a clear upswing. It's highly likely that the CAQ will save more of their seats than most people expect. The same thing happened with their predecessors, the ADQ, in the 2008 election. The projection accounts for that, and so the CAQ seat count is a bit on the high side. That number might rise further by Monday. Legault's second debate performance really saved his hide.

For now, though, Politically Uncorrect projects a LIBERAL MAJORITY of 13.

Week 4: monumental cock-up?

When Pauline Marois called this election, she did so because she thought she could win a majority. As we enter week 4 of the campaign, all signs now point to that having backfired.

Spectacularly so, if we're to believe Forum Research, who once again have muddied the waters with a ground-breaking opinion poll showing a completely different race. Their firm has, in previous elections, also shown somewhat dubious numbers, to a mixed degree of success.

That the PQ campaign is struggling is not in question. The trends in other polls reflect this too. Recently, they have had trouble staying on message, and have lurched from issue to issue trying to find their footing. They have even gone so far as to suggest students from other provinces are trying to hijack the election through voter fraud. The demographic which is least likely to vote. Within hours, the chief electoral officer debunked that myth.

However, what is doubtful is that the Liberals have suddenly opened up a 13 point gap (instead of about 5 like everybody else is showing) and are cruising toward a victory. Fortunately, this is where the weighted rolling poll average comes in to smooth the wild swings:
PQ     32-37% [median 34.6] (1.1) 42-61 seats [median 53] (5)
PLQ    39-44% [median 41.4] (2.1) 58-76 seats [median 66] (5)
CAQ    12-15% [median 13.5] ( = )  2- 5 seats [median  4] (=)
QS      7-10% [median  8.3] (0.4)  2- 3 seats [median  2] (=)
ON      0- 2% [median  0.8] (0.3)  0- 0 seats [median  0] (=)
PVQ     0- 1% [median  0.5] (0.3)  0- 0 seats [median  0] (=)
Other   0- 2% [median  1.0] (0.1)  0- 1 seats [median  0] (=)

The Liberals have once again picked up 5 seats at the expense of the PQ, although they may come back down a bit once new surveys are released. The Greens failed to put up a full slate of candidates, and the new numbers reflect this.

One question remains, though: is it the PQ or Forum who are headed toward a monumental cock-up?

For today, Politically Uncorrect projects a LIBERAL MAJORITY of 7.

Liberal momentum builds ahead of debate

Two new polls (CROP & Ipsos) agree: Most Quebecers do not want another sovereignty referendum, but believe the PQ would hold one if they win a majority, therefore, they are moving to the Liberals. Couillard has, so far, successfully managed to frame the PQ as focused on another referendum. He has picked up support from the nervous voters previously in the CAQ camp, because they see the Liberals as the best shot at stopping the PQ. Of course, PQ candidates attacking kosher or halal foods and comparing circumcision and baptism to rape didn't really help Marois.

To that end, the recruitment of PKP as a candidate has come back to bite Marois in the rear. The move was hailed as a game changer; and it may yet be, just not in the way Marois envisioned. She's trying to reframe her party's message around the controversial secular charter. That was evident when she sent minister Drainville out to talk exclusively about it. That will, no doubt, be part of her game plan in tomorrow's debate, on top of attacking the PLQ as the party of backroom deals and stuffed envelopes (a la Charest). Although, since this is the Couillard era, and not Charest, one wonders how effective that line of attack will be.

Look also for Francois Legault to attack Couillard more than Marois. He pretty much knows he's in no position to form government, and will now be simply trying to re-attract support. Given that a lot of that is moving to the Liberals, Legault will be swinging hard at Couillard.

This election looks increasingly likely to be determined by who sets the agenda, and not by the actual policy. If Couillard can keep the focus on the PQ's separatist roots, he will have the upper hand. The same can be said for Marois if she manages to redirect the message to secularism. Should Legault manage to worm himself in and talk about the economy, he may be able to prevent anybody from winning a majority and salvage a few seats.

For now, though:
PQ     33-38% [median 35.7] (1.7) 49-66 seats [median 58] (5)
PLQ    37-42% [median 39.3] (1.9) 52-70 seats [median 61] (5)
CAQ    12-15% [median 13.5] (0.8)  2- 5 seats [median  4] (=)
QS      7-10% [median  8.7] (0.7)  2- 3 seats [median  2] (=)
ON      0- 2% [median  1.1] (0.2)  0- 0 seats [median  0] (=)
PVQ     0- 2% [median  0.8] (0.1)  0- 0 seats [median  0] (=)
Other   0- 2% [median  0.9] (0.1)  0- 1 seats [median  0] (=)

Politically Uncorrect now projects a LIBERAL MINORITY (short 2).

Week 3: debate prep

Leger released a poll last Friday which I didn't get a chance to put into the projection, but it basically confirms to close race. There's a little bit of good news for everyone, except the CAQ.

So, the numbers:
PQ     34-40% [median 37.4] (0.2) 55-74 seats [median 63] (=)
PLQ    34-40% [median 37.4] (0.2) 45-64 seats [median 56] (1)
CAQ    12-16% [median 14.3] (1.2)  3- 5 seats [median  4] (1)
QS      6- 8% [median  8.0] (0.7)  2- 3 seats [median  2] (=)
ON      0- 2% [median  0.9] (0.1)  0- 0 seats [median  0] (=)
PVQ     0- 2% [median  0.9] ( = )  0- 0 seats [median  0] (=)
Other   0- 2% [median  1.0] (0.1)  0- 1 seats [median  0] (=)

The Liberals picked up a seat from the CAQ. The most troubling news for the CAQ is that they have no one region of strength anymore, since the Quebec City region is moving away from them in favour of the Liberals. It looks as though the sovereignty talk has moved some warier people into the federalist option. What's interesting is of the remaining CAQ backers, they prefer the Liberals 43-17 over the PQ as a second choice. Philippe Couillard has a clear path to victory. Whether he is successful in attracting these CAQ voters remains to be seen.

Pauline Marois still has enough francophone support to win an election, with a decent shot at a majority. However, it's clear that she can't rest on her laurels yet. With such a close race, Thursday's debate will be key. We'll likely see if that manages to shake things up the week after.

For now, Politically Uncorrect continues to project a PQ MAJORITY of 1.

Week 2 starts with a bang: why traditional left/right politics don't work in Quebec

Today's news centred around Pierre-Karl Peladeau, CEO and president of Quebecor Media and Sun Media. Generally seen as right-wing, Peladeau shocked the political world today by announcing his candidacy with the PQ, the same party closely tied to unions, the same party widely labelled as left.

But that's just it. In Quebec, left/right politics plays second fiddle to none other than the issue of sovereignty. That's why Lucien Bouchard was a federal Progressive Conservative minister turned leader of the Bloc turned PQ premier; why Francois Legault, a former Bouchard minister, is now leader of the CAQ; why Tom Mulcair, federal NDP leader, was a minister under Jean Charest's Quebec Liberals, who himself was leader of the federal PCs.

While, in theory, the PQ and the PLQ are a little left and right of centre, respectively, in practice they have been centrist. Their governing styles have not been much different, save for on matters of culture, language, and nationhood. It is for this reason that voters on both sides of the spectrum feel they belong to these parties, under the banner of either "sovereigntist" or "federalist."

It's also why the CAQ (or its predecessor the ADQ) never did too well, except in that massive protest vote in 2007. It's not because the Quebecois are any "more liberal" than the rest of Canada. The CAQ are, officially, soft nationalists; neither sovereigntist nor federalist. Their raison d'etre is economic conservatism, but economic conservatives have already found a home in either the PQ or the PLQ, and for the most part, they're content. If not, sovereignty or federalism serves as a force compelling them to stay, despite minor grievances.

We'll probably see by the Friday update whether today's news has impacted the parties' support. For today, a CROP poll this weekend confirms the close race. The only difference is a slightly higher number for the CAQ. And so:

PQ     34-40% [median 37.2] (0.9) 55-74 seats [median 63] (=)
PLQ    34-40% [median 37.2] (0.9) 44-63 seats [median 55] (=)
CAQ    13-17% [median 15.5] (1.6)  4- 8 seats [median  5] (=)
QS      6- 8% [median  7.3] (0.3)  2- 2 seats [median  2] (=)
ON      0- 2% [median  1.0] ( = )  0- 0 seats [median  0] (=)
PVQ     0- 2% [median  0.9] (0.1)  0- 0 seats [median  0] (=)
Other   0- 2% [median  0.9] ( = )  0- 1 seats [median  0] (=)

Politically Uncorrect continues to project a PQ MAJORITY of 1.