Quebec Election: Legault and Duhaime Spar on Pandemic Management in First Debate

(L-R) Conservative Leader Eric Duhaime, Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade, Quebec Solidaire co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, Parti-Quebecois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, CAQ Leader Francois Legault, and moderator Pierre Brunei stand on the set prior to the leaders debate in Montreal, on Thursday, September 15, 2022. Martin Chevalier/The Canadian Press

Quebec Premier François Legault defended his management of the pandemic during the first leaders’ debate on Sept. 15, as he faced accusations from Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime that the premier had treated Quebecers “like children.”

“We’re not going to treat people like children like Legault did for two years,” said Duhaime, whose support is boosted by people displeased with the harsh restrictions the province imposed starting in 2020.