1981 Quebec general election

The 1981 Quebec general election was held on April 13, 1981, to elect members of the National Assembly of the Province of Quebec, Canada. The incumbent Parti Québécois, led by Premier René Lévesque, won re-election, defeating the Quebec Liberal Party, led by Claude Ryan.

1981 Quebec general election

← 1976April 13, 19811985 →

122 seats in the 32nd National Assembly of Quebec
62 seats were needed for a majority
Turnout82.52% (Decrease2.75%)
 First partySecond partyThird party
  UN
LeaderRené LévesqueClaude RyanRoch LaSalle
PartyParti QuébécoisLiberalUnion Nationale
Leader sinceOctober 14, 1968April 15, 1978January 9, 1981
Leader's seatTaillonArgenteuilRan in Berthier (lost)
Last election71 seats, 41.37%26 seats, 33.78%11 seats, 18.20%
Seats won80420
Seat changeIncrease9Increase16Decrease11
Popular vote1,773,2371,658,753144,070
Percentage49.26%46.07%4.00%
SwingIncrease7.89%Increase12.29%Decrease14.20%

Popular vote by riding. As this is an FPTP election, seat totals are not determined by popular vote, but instead via results by each riding. Click the map for more details.

Premier before election

René Lévesque
Parti Québécois

Premier after election

René Lévesque
Parti Québécois

The PQ won re-election despite having lost the 1980 Quebec referendum on sovereignty-association, the party's proposal for political independence for Quebec in an economic union with the rest of Canada. To some extent, they were helped by Claude Ryan's old-fashioned campaign style: he refused to tailor sound bites for the evening news and ran a campaign generally unsuited for television coverage. Despite finishing only three percent behind the PQ, the Liberals still finished a distant second, with 42 seats to the PQ's 80. Historically, provincial elections in Quebec produce large disparities between the popular vote and the actual seat count.

The Union Nationale, which had won 11 seats in a modest comeback in the 1976 general election, was reduced to five seats at dissolution by numerous floor crossings, retirements and resignations. Among the departures was that of its leader in the 1976 election, Rodrigue Biron, who crossed the floor to the PQ. The once-proud party lost all of its remaining seats, never to return. The party essentially ended at this point, though it lingered in desultory fashion until 1989.

Redistribution of ridings

A 1979 Act [1] provided for the creation of the Commission de la représentation électorale, charged with the task of the redistribution of riding boundaries for elections to the National Assembly. For its initial work, it had to create a sufficient number of ridings that would have an average of 34,000 electors.[2] In April 1980, the Commission increased the number of electoral districts from 110 to 122, effective with the next election:[3]

Abolished ridingsNew ridings
Drawn from parts of other ridings
Reorganization of ridings
Division of ridings
Renaming of ridings

Campaign

The Liberals and péquistes fielded full slates, while the Unionists decided not to run a candidate in the new riding of Ungava. The Parti national populaire ceased operations after its co-founder and only MNA Fabien Roy decided to leave the Legislature in 1979 for the federal level to lead the Social Credit Party of Canada.

The Ralliement créditiste dissolved in 1978 when its leader Camil Samson created Les Démocrates, but that party failed to secure enough nominations for the coming election and thus dissolved in 1980. Samson would later join the Liberals, and would run as a candidate for that party in Rouyn-Noranda–Témiscamingue.

Other disaffected créditistes opted to join the United Social Credit which had been revived by Jean-Paul Poulin.

Riding contests, by number of candidates (1981)[4]
CandidatesPQLibUNIndComm-WFOCLtnMLPCSUWorkersCommLSOTotal
2112
3484848144
435353575211352140
5141414455652170
6111111410319131166
7666366332142
844444443132
91111111119
102224211211220
Total12212212127331210401610102525

Results

All seats were won by either the PQ or the Liberals, and no other party received better than a third-place result. The UN was once more shut out of the National Assembly. The election was notable for a large number of fringe parties, none of which received as much as 0.2% of the popular vote.

Elections to the National Assembly of Quebec (1981)[4]
Political partyParty leaderMNAsVotes
Candidates19761981±#±%± (pp)
Parti QuébécoisRené Lévesque12271809 1,773,237382,886 49.26%7.89
LiberalClaude Ryan122264216 1,658,753523,697 46.08%12.30
Union NationaleRoch LaSalle1211111 144,070467,596 4.00%14.20
Independent274,3728,612 0.12%0.27
Workers' CommunistRoger Rashi334,9564,956 0.14%New
Freedom of ChoiceDuncan McDonald124,9554,955 0.14%New
LibertarianVictor Levis103,2993,299 0.09%New
Marxist–LeninistRobert Verrier403,1783,178 0.09%New
United Social Credit[a 1]Jean-Paul Poulin161,284154,167 0.04%4.59
Workers101,027222 0.03%0.01
CommunistSam Walsh107681,008 0.02%0.03
Socialist-Workers2198110 0.01%0.01
Total5251101223,600,097100.00%
Rejected ballots38,52331,923
Voter turnout3,638,620207,668 82.522.75
Registered electors4,409,276385,533
Seats and popular vote by party
PartySeatsVotesChange (pp)
 Parti Québécois
80 / 122
49.26%
7.897.89
 
 Liberal
42 / 122
46.08%
12.0312.03
 
 Union Nationale
0 / 122
4.00%
-14.20
 
 United Social Credit
0 / 122
0.04%
-4.59
 
 Parti national populaire
0 / 122
0.00%
-0.92
 
 Independent
0 / 122
0.12%
-0.27
 
 Other
0 / 122
0.71%
0.060.06
 

Synopsis of results

Results by riding - 1981 Quebec general election[4][5]
RidingWinning partyTurnout
[a 1]
Votes
Name1976PartyVotesShareMargin
#
Margin
%
PQLibUNIndOthTotal
 
Abitibi-EstPQPQ13,79062.57%7,19832.66%74.62%13,7906,5921,65822,040
Abitibi-OuestPQPQ16,03365.14%8,38434.06%79.41%16,0337,64993224,614
AnjouPQPQ20,35556.81%5,42015.13%85.54%20,35514,93554335,833
ArgenteuilLibLib15,89557.23%4,99617.99%81.92%10,89915,89577820027,772
ArthabaskaPQPQ18,42453.64%5,30415.44%85.50%18,42413,1202,62318034,347
Beauce-NordPQPQ18,85853.39%4,82813.67%85.25%18,85814,0302,43335,321
Beauce-SudPNPLib13,39346.89%970.34%82.95%13,29613,3931,51935728,565
BeauharnoisPQPQ18,74154.01%4,12011.87%86.95%18,74114,62197037034,702
BellechasseUNPQ9,19437.58%3641.49%82.56%9,1948,8306,44024,464
BerthierPQLib10,67637.34%1,2224.27%85.41%9,45410,6768,46128,591
BertrandNewPQ19,09160.44%7,40523.44%88.74%19,09111,68681031,587
BonaventureLibLib11,60953.95%2,1339.91%79.39%9,47611,60943221,517
BourassaPQPQ15,59750.37%9232.98%83.81%15,59714,67457112430,966
BourgetPQPQ15,81056.07%4,25415.09%84.82%15,81011,5565884520028,199
Brome-MissisquoiUNLib15,83262.57%7,82730.93%81.32%8,00515,8321,17828925,304
ChamblyPQPQ15,18951.39%1,6455.57%87.93%15,18913,5447527029,555
ChamplainPQPQ17,78953.57%4,93714.87%84.64%17,78912,8522,46210133,204
ChapleauNewLib15,36453.44%2,4848.64%76.41%12,88015,3644139528,752
CharlesbourgPQPQ19,88457.32%5,99817.29%85.98%19,88413,88676215534,687
CharlevoixLibLib12,71250.65%7993.18%84.32%11,91312,71247325,098
ChâteauguayPQPQ18,85551.45%1,7784.85%86.68%18,85517,07757414036,646
ChauveauPQPQ18,99155.97%4,91814.49%82.93%18,99114,07386633,930
ChicoutimiPQPQ24,45673.91%16,63250.26%80.13%24,4567,82481133,091
ChomedeyNewLib20,93366.24%10,80834.20%83.72%10,12520,93354331,601
CrémaziePQPQ16,93851.46%1,5834.81%85.85%16,93815,3555458032,918
D'Arcy-McGeeLibLib26,06491.96%24,53286.56%78.53%1,53226,06411163528,342
Deux-MontagnesPQPQ16,14953.00%2,8309.29%85.83%16,14913,31976710413330,472
DorionPQPQ14,55151.54%1,8946.71%82.58%14,55112,6575247442928,235
DrummondPQPQ19,35955.31%5,91116.89%84.44%19,35913,4482,0999535,001
DubucPQPQ16,63064.64%8,29632.25%82.30%16,6308,33476225,726
DuplessisPQPQ19,96265.30%10,04132.85%73.70%19,9629,92151417330,570
FabrePQPQ15,36152.78%2,2657.78%87.25%15,36113,09664829,105
FrontenacPQPQ16,54953.29%7,09822.86%85.70%16,5499,4514,90315231,055
GaspéUNPQ12,13647.08%1,2324.78%81.08%12,13610,9042,73925,779
GatineauLibLib12,24454.56%2,41610.77%81.71%9,82812,24436922,441
GouinPQPQ15,56357.76%5,20919.33%80.64%15,56310,3546076635226,942
GroulxNewPQ20,31757.20%6,07417.10%84.78%20,31714,24386110135,522
HullPQLib15,57249.76%4561.46%80.19%15,11615,5722639624731,294
HuntingdonUNLib13,45456.91%5,08821.52%81.79%8,36613,4541,82123,641
IbervillePQPQ16,82249.18%1,9395.67%85.63%16,82214,8832,49834,203
Îles-de-la-MadeleinePQPQ5,27863.79%2,42729.33%88.30%5,2782,85157888,274
Jacques-CartierLibLib25,89479.52%20,91164.22%83.04%4,98325,8942591,12230432,562
Jean-TalonLibLib17,29052.28%2,2466.79%85.96%15,04417,29052621533,075
Jeanne-MancePQLib19,65258.65%6,18018.44%84.46%13,47219,65238533,509
JohnsonUNPQ13,13147.90%8062.94%85.31%13,13112,3251,95927,415
JolietteNewPQ16,34351.95%5,20016.53%86.46%16,34311,1433,97131,457
JonquièrePQPQ23,56265.99%12,23534.27%83.63%23,56211,32758223535,706
Kamouraska-TémiscouataPQPQ14,70254.95%4,18915.66%77.88%14,70210,5131,53926,754
L'AcadieLibLib22,78468.16%12,63037.79%83.92%10,15422,78436911833,425
L'AssomptionPQPQ22,60561.61%10,45528.50%87.04%22,60512,1501,93436,689
La PeltrieNewPQ17,97557.31%5,33717.02%86.78%17,97512,63874931,362
Labelle[a 2]PQPQ17,59657.70%5,77418.93%79.93%17,59611,8221,07930,497
Lac-Saint-JeanPQPQ19,60262.32%8,95428.47%86.29%19,60210,6481,20531,455
LaFontainePQPQ20,02862.08%8,53426.45%83.85%20,02811,49460713132,260
LaportePQLib19,31660.09%7,09722.08%84.02%12,21919,31650910332,147
La PrairiePQLib19,07049.26%3280.85%85.49%18,74219,0708139138,716
LaurierLibLib16,71957.99%6,84823.75%80.21%9,87116,7196753361,22928,830
Laval-des-RapidesNewPQ18,66757.93%5,84018.12%85.14%18,66712,8276587032,222
LaviolettePQPQ16,40356.44%5,06717.43%82.81%16,40311,3361,324029,063
LévisPQPQ24,44459.42%8,80421.40%85.74%24,44415,6409728241,138
LimoilouPQPQ17,31754.43%3,88112.20%81.01%17,31713,43685121331,817
LotbinièreUNPQ11,65348.94%1,3655.73%85.12%11,65310,2881,87223,813
Louis-HébertPQPQ20,34561.36%8,12724.51%84.34%20,34512,21847312133,157
MaisonneuvePQPQ16,93057.82%5,52318.86%80.23%16,93011,40751342929,279
Marguerite-BourgeoysLibLib19,51167.51%10,54136.47%82.74%8,97019,5113556428,900
Marie-VictorinNewPQ19,47265.49%10,26434.52%81.83%19,4729,20877228229,734
MarquetteNewLib13,14650.54%9373.60%82.04%12,20913,14636529326,013
MaskinongéLibLib13,24846.89%2330.82%85.27%13,01513,2481,99328,256
MatanePQPQ13,98057.08%4,36717.83%79.98%13,9809,61370419724,494
MatapédiaPQPQ10,44552.49%3,26716.42%79.59%10,4457,1782,27619,899
Mégantic-ComptonUNLib11,79551.73%2,32710.21%82.04%9,46811,7951,53922,802
MercierPQPQ16,25254.53%3,91913.15%79.92%16,25212,33349511660829,804
Mille-ÎlesPQPQ16,82553.97%3,19610.25%88.37%16,82513,62972031,174
Mont-RoyalLibLib21,87580.69%17,50064.55%78.60%4,37521,87518867127,109
Montmagny-L'IsletLibPQ11,79745.50%2310.89%80.14%11,79711,5662,56625,929
MontmorencyPQPQ21,79162.48%9,55327.39%83.53%21,79112,23871014034,879
Nelligan[a 3]UNLib23,16873.85%16,05551.18%82.46%7,11323,16837571631,372
Nicolet[a 4]UNPQ9,31834.86%3621.35%86.13%9,3188,9568,45326,727
Notre-Dame-de-GrâceLibLib24,82181.96%20,54067.82%78.53%4,28124,8211741,00830,284
OrfordLibLib15,82854.40%3,64212.52%82.13%12,18615,8281,08329,097
OutremontLibLib15,31055.12%3,40312.25%81.80%11,90715,3102156827527,775
PapineauPQLib11,71753.31%1,9768.99%82.07%9,74111,71741211021,980
PontiacNewLib15,15767.83%10,46646.84%76.80%4,69115,1577041,79322,345
PortneufLibLib14,12051.14%1,5135.48%86.96%12,60714,12088427,611
PrévostPQPQ16,13753.15%3,05410.06%82.10%16,13713,08395518930,364
RichelieuPQPQ18,19856.06%5,17315.94%85.85%18,19813,0251,0377712232,459
RichmondUNLib10,15847.43%2531.18%86.14%9,90510,1581,35421,417
RimouskiPQPQ20,10661.04%8,96327.21%83.89%20,10611,1431,52516332,937
Rivière-du-LoupPQPQ12,87155.32%3,62915.60%80.70%12,8719,2421,15423,267
Robert-BaldwinLibLib26,86577.84%20,21458.57%82.49%6,65126,86526073534,511
RobervalLibPQ19,30157.85%6,54119.61%83.58%19,30112,7601,30233,363
RosemontPQPQ17,13752.69%2,7038.31%82.69%17,13714,43458836532,524
RousseauNewPQ14,95048.50%2,2887.42%80.74%14,95012,6623,10710630,825
Rouyn-Noranda–TémiscamingueNewPQ15,64954.94%3,91513.75%77.94%15,64911,73462921425728,483
SaguenayPQPQ17,06966.56%8,93034.82%75.43%17,0698,13943625,644
Saint-FrançoisPQPQ15,99052.08%2,1246.92%82.77%15,99013,86672212430,702
Saint-HenriPQLib14,49048.22%710.24%79.68%14,41914,49077836130,048
Saint-HyacintheUNPQ14,10943.64%2,5978.03%83.13%14,10911,5126,70832,329
Saint-JacquesPQPQ15,72763.44%7,58530.60%72.45%15,7278,1424436241724,791
Saint-JeanPQPQ17,68750.97%1,9505.62%83.59%17,68715,7371,27434,698
Saint-LaurentLibLib24,17672.21%15,30945.72%80.90%8,86724,17643933,482
Saint-LouisLibLib15,78169.12%9,58441.98%69.49%6,19715,78123412349522,830
Saint-MauricePQPQ15,98955.64%4,86316.92%84.70%15,98911,1261,505793928,738
Saint-AnnePQLib11,53750.89%1,1635.13%74.98%10,37411,53748627222,669
Sainte-MariePQPQ13,66761.35%6,06727.24%75.11%13,6677,60049313538122,276
SauvéPQPQ15,42052.98%2,3778.17%82.50%15,42013,0435509429,107
SheffordLibPQ15,63246.78%7272.18%85.71%15,63214,9052,72515633,418
SherbrookePQPQ16,19452.83%2,3097.53%83.00%16,19413,88545012530,654
TaillonPQPQ21,53567.59%12,03537.77%83.58%21,5359,50061920931,863
TaschereauPQPQ13,59156.98%4,20717.64%76.39%13,5919,38456631023,851
TerrebonnePQPQ19,34463.25%8,98129.36%84.00%19,34410,36387830,585
Trois-RivièresPQPQ16,07051.32%1,9506.23%81.51%16,07014,1209268311331,312
UngavaNewPQ9,67961.53%3,62723.06%53.85%9,6796,05215,731
VachonNewPQ17,67157.85%5,69918.66%83.59%17,67111,97290130,544
VanierPQPQ20,49062.86%9,21728.27%81.84%20,49011,27365518032,598
Vaudreuil-SoulangesPQLib18,99251.56%1,9555.31%84.92%17,03718,9924912466636,832
VerchèresPQPQ19,27255.98%5,04514.65%87.34%19,27214,22793034,429
VerdunLibLib17,40661.40%7,21425.45%83.49%10,19217,40641533628,349
ViauPQLib16,65755.19%4,10313.60%81.58%12,55416,65757439430,179
VigerNewLib18,79459.37%6,52820.62%84.64%12,26618,79459831,658
VimontNewPQ16,72556.03%4,26014.27%87.90%16,72512,46566029,850
WestmountLibLib22,63679.87%17,86463.03%77.57%4,77222,63621610561328,342
  = open seat
  = turnout is above provincial average
  = winning candidate was in previous Legislature
  = incumbent had switched allegiance
  = previously incumbent in another riding
  = not incumbent; was previously elected to the Legislature
  = incumbency arose from byelection gain
  = other incumbents renominated
  = previously an MP in the House of Commons of Canada
  = multiple candidates

Analysis

Candidates ranked 1st to 5th place, by party[4]
Parties1st2nd3rd4th5th
 Parti Québécois8042
 Liberal4280
 Union Nationale11263
 Marxist–Leninist432
 Freedom of Choice362
 Independent2114
 Workers' Communist236
 United Social Credit62
 Communist23
 Workers16
 Socialist-Workers11
Resulting composition of the 31st Quebec Legislative Assembly[5]
SourceParty
PQLibTotal
Seats retainedIncumbents returned491867
Open seats held - new MNAs8311
Open seats held - return of previous member11
Byelection loss reversed22
Seats changing handsIncumbents defeated - new MNAs6612
Incumbents defeated - return of previous members22
Open seats gained145
Byelection gain held33
Incumbent changed allegiance112
Ouster of third-party byelection gain11
New ridingsNew MNAs66
Previous incumbent from other riding549
Former MNA elected11
Total8042110

See also

References

Further reading