Legault played identity politics. In the end, it wasn't enough

Over the past seven years, when outgoing premier François Legault's government tabled a contentious bill, he would often justify it by saying it represented the will of the vast majority of Quebecers.

During a time of economic turbulence, Legault ushered several key bills rooted in identity politics — some which have sparked protests and court challenges.

On Wednesday, Legault invoked his recurring argument — Quebecers’ will — to explain his decision to step down as leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), the party he co-founded in 2011.

“I can see that, right now, a lot of Quebecers want change first and foremost, and among other things, a change in premier,” Legault said at a news conference.

“I truly hope the next election focuses on the major challenges facing Quebec, rather than a simple desire for change."

The latest Pallas Data poll, which surveyed more than 1,100 Quebecers between Jan. 9 and 10, placed the premier and his party at just 10 per cent in voter intentions. 

But Quebecers' disillusionment with Legault may stem from the belief that he valued issues related to Quebec identity over other pressing priorities.

Nearing the end of its second term, the CAQ — which had presented itself initially as a “pragmatic” party and Quebecers’ best option to oversee the province’s economy — seemingly fell short of addressing primary concerns among voters: their wallets, their schools and their health system.

During its two terms, his government introduced legislation that revisited questions of national identity — the same issues central to the 1980 and 1995 sovereignty referendums, where a slim but decisive majority voted "no."

Whenever Premier Legault, a former Parti Québécois MNA, faced questions about his support for the sovereignty project — he would reply that he is a nationalist. 

In his early days as premier, he made health and education rallying issues for the CAQ.

But in a quest to reaffirm the interests of what he referred to as the Quebec nation, he leaves behind several laws that have concretely damaged cultural and linguistic minorities, says Stephen Brown, CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims. 

“He's going to be remembered as a premier who chose to divide Quebecers around false debates rather than address real concerns,” Brown said, referring to the government’s Bill 96 — which caused confusion about minority language rights within the Quebec health network and school system, as well as the secularism law, which disproportionately impacts Muslim women. 

The Supreme Court of Canada will hear challenges to the secularism law, also known as Bill 21, on March 23.