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Amidst a shifting political landscape,aspiring Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette is carefully distancing herself from a controversial constitutional draft while concurrently bolstering support within her party.
Christine Fréchette,a leading candidate to succeed François Legault,is facing increasing scrutiny over her position on abortion rights as she seeks to consolidate her base in the race for leadership of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ). The candidate acknowledged public concerns surrounding a provision in colleague Simon Jolin-Barrette’s proposed Quebec constitution that could potentially open the door to limitations on abortion access.
A Delicate Balance on Constitutional Reform
Fréchette, speaking during a press conference on wednesday, emphasized the ongoing nature of the constitutional review process. “There is a process that is underway, a (parliamentary) commission at the moment regarding the Constitution,” she stated. “I want to see the direction it will take and the results. I want to see the work continue and at the end of this work, we will take stock of what has been heard.” This cautious approach signals a desire to avoid alienating any segment of the CAQ caucus or the broader Quebec electorate.
In a recent interview with The Press, Fréchette indicated that certain “elements” of Bill 1 – the proposed constitutional draft – could be “reoriented” and “redirected,” suggesting a willingness to compromise. However, she has not yet explicitly stated whether she supports the inclusion of the right to abortion in the constitution.
Did you know?-Quebec does not have a specific law protecting abortion access.Access is governed by federal law and court decisions, making constitutional enshrinement a key debate.
Concerns Mount Over Article 29
the debate centers on Article 29 of Bill 1, which enshrines the right to abortion. The Council on the Status of Women has vocally demanded its withdrawal, arguing that the provision could create a legal vulnerability rather than strengthen protections for abortion access. This concern stems from the potential for future legal challenges based on the specific wording of the article.
The situation is further complicated by the recent decision of Minister of Justice and parliamentary leader Simon Jolin-Barrette to withdraw from the leadership race. Jolin-Barrette cited both family reasons and a commitment to ensuring the passage of Bill 1 as factors in his decision.
Reader question-Simon Jolin-Barrette’s withdrawal leaves Bill 1’s future uncertain. The bill requires a qualified majority in the National Assembly to pass, and his support was crucial.
Rallying support and shifting Dynamics
Fréchette is actively campaigning for support within the CAQ caucus. On Wednesday, she appeared alongside three prominent female supporters: Ministers pascale Déry and Amélie Dionne, and MP Catherine Blouin. This display of solidarity is intended to highlight Fréchette’s appeal to women voters and position her as a champion of “feminine leadership.”
“We are ripe” for “feminine leadership, having a strong woman at the head of our party,” declared Dionne. Déry added that Fréchette “really embodies change, obviously because she is a woman, then because it is rarer in politics.”
As of Wednesday,Fréchette has secured the backing of 19 members of the caucus,significantly outpacing her rival,Bernard Drainville,who has nine supporters. Drainville recently gained the support of deputy Louis Lemieux, a former journalist and TV host. “It ticks all the boxes on my list: nationalist, economic, third vote, identity, but also the experience and the unity of this party in the aftermath of April 12. For me, my man is Bernard,” Lemieux explained.
The leadership race remains fluid, and Fréchette’s ability to navigate the complex issue of abortion rights while simultaneously unifying the CAQ caucus will be crucial to her success. The coming weeks will undoubtedly reveal whether she can strike the delicate balance required to become Quebec’s next premier.
