1989 Quebec general election

The 1989 Quebec general election was held on September 25, 1989, to elect members of the National Assembly of the Province of Quebec, Canada. The incumbent Quebec Liberal Party, led by Premier Robert Bourassa, won re-election, defeating the Parti Québécois, led by Jacques Parizeau.

1989 Quebec general election

← 1985September 25, 19891994 →

125 seats in the 34th National Assembly of Quebec
63 seats were needed for a majority
Turnout75.02% (Decrease0.67%)
 First partySecond partyThird party
 
Robert-Bourassa.jpg
Jacques-Parizeau-Headshot-2008.jpeg
EP
LeaderRobert BourassaJacques ParizeauRobert Libman
PartyLiberalParti QuébécoisEquality
Leader sinceOctober 15, 1983March 18, 19881989
Leader's seatSaint-LaurentL'AssomptionD'Arcy-McGee
Last election99 seats, 55.99%23 seats, 38.69%pre-creation
Seats won92294
Seat changeDecrease7Increase6Increase4
Popular vote1,702,8081,369,067125,726
Percentage49.95%40.16%3.69%
SwingDecrease6.04%Increase1.47%

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

Robert Bourassa
Liberal

Premier after election

Robert Bourassa
Liberal

This election was notable for the arrival of the Equality Party, which advocated English-speaking minority rights. It won four seats, but never had any success in any subsequent election.

1988 redistribution of ridings

The Commission de la représentation électorale performed a redistribution in 1988, which increased the number of seats in the National Assembly from 122 to 125 for the next general election:

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

Opinion polls

Voting intentions (1985-1989)
  Liberal
  Parti Québécois
  Equality Party
  NDP


Evolution of voting intentions at provincial level
Polling firmLast day
of survey
SourceQLPPQEQPOtherMESample
Election 1989September 25, 198949.9540.163.696.20
SorecomAugust 29, 1989[1]48385506
SorecomAugust 26, 1989[1]443771,000
SorecomJune 1989[1]5335
Election 1985December 2, 198555.9938.69-5.32

Results

Elections to the National Assembly of Quebec (1989)[2]
Political partyParty leaderMNAsVotes
Candidates19811985±#±%± (pp)
LiberalRobert Bourassa12599927 1,702,808207,499 49.95%6.04
Parti QuébécoisJacques Parizeau12523296 1,369,06749,059 40.16%1.47
EqualityRobert Libman1944 125,726125,726 3.69%New
UnityJames Atkinson1633,86233,862 0.99%New
GreenJean Ouimet4667,67563,062 1.99%1.85
New DemocraticGaétan Nadeau5541,50441,084 1.22%1.20
Independent3223,75115,896 0.70%0.47
LemonDenis Patenaude117,5507,550 0.22%New
Independent PQ16,0466,046 0.18%New
WorkersGérard Lachance195,4975,110 0.16%0.15
Progressive ConservativeRobert Coppenrath124,75030,460 0.14%0.89
Parti indépendantisteGilles Rhéaume124,60710,816 0.14%0.31
Marxist–LeninistChristine Robidoux304,2454,245 0.12%New
Parti 51André Perron113,8463,846 0.11%New
United Social CreditJean-Paul Poulin112,9731,323 0.09%0.04
Socialist Movement102,203394 0.06%0.01
Commonwealth of Canada111,799441 0.05%0.02
CommunistMarianne Roy1080826 0.02%
Libertarian1192192 0.01%New
Total5571221253,408,909100.00%
Rejected ballots92,15939,534
Voter turnout3,501,06836,836 75.690.73
Registered electors4690,69094,090


Seats and popular vote by party
PartySeatsVotesChange (pp)
 Liberal
92 / 125
49.95%
-6.04
 
 Parti Québécois
29 / 125
40.16%
1.471.47
 
 Equality/Unity
4 / 125
4.68%
4.684.68
 
 Green
0 / 125
1.99%
1.851.85
 
 New Democratic
0 / 125
1.22%
-1.20
 
 Progressive Conservative
0 / 125
0.14%
-0.89
 
 Independent
0 / 125
0.70%
0.470.47
 
 Other
0 / 125
1.17%
-0.34
 

Synopsis of results

Results by riding - 1989 Quebec general election[2][3]
RidingWinning partyTurnout
[a 1]
Votes
Name1985PartyVotesShareMargin
#
Margin
%
LibPQEq/UnGreenNDPI-PQIndOthTotal
 
Abitibi-EstLibLib12,09955.67%2,46511.34%73.47%12,0999,63421,733
Abitibi-OuestPQPQ15,58867.40%8,04734.79%72.97%7,54115,58823,129
AcadieLibLib19,07765.62%11,65140.07%74.64%19,0777,4261,0831,48829,074
AnjouPQLib12,55451.89%2,1098.72%77.26%12,55410,44568850624,193
ArgenteuilLibLib14,18751.91%5,09818.65%73.43%14,1879,0894,05227,328
ArthabaskaLibPQ16,56951.48%2,6928.36%81.63%13,87716,5691,74132,187
Beauce-NordLibLib13,66061.13%6,09427.27%75.94%13,6607,56667244922,347
Beauce-SudLibLib18,62369.78%13,30149.84%73.25%18,6235,3222,74526,690
Beauharnois-HuntingdonNewLib12,34848.23%3,06411.97%76.23%12,3489,2843,96925,601
BellechasseLibLib11,11450.43%1910.87%76.43%11,11410,92322,037
BerthierLibLib17,63061.63%6,65223.25%76.32%17,63010,97828,608
BertrandPQPQ20,18853.75%2,8197.51%81.58%17,36920,18837,557
BonaventureLibLib11,77859.65%6,38632.34%73.94%11,7785,3921,2661,06224619,744
BourassaLibLib13,74756.52%4,87920.06%73.49%13,7478,8686451,06124,321
BourgetLibLib12,41747.50%1590.61%76.77%12,41712,2584281,03926,142
Brome-MissisquoiLibLib13,50254.18%7,26429.15%75.72%13,5026,2382,7562,07335324,922
ChamblyLibLib15,43548.62%2,4967.86%80.35%15,43512,9392,79757231,743
ChamplainLibLib14,32545.61%3,29010.48%77.87%14,32511,0356,04631,406
ChapleauLibLib15,56955.24%2,95410.48%63.80%15,56912,61528,184
CharlesbourgLibLib20,81859.76%9,69927.84%80.22%20,81811,1191,1401,76134,838
CharlevoixLibLib11,81654.13%1,8048.26%73.82%11,81610,01221,828
ChâteauguayLibLib12,52843.64%2,0537.15%78.94%12,52810,4755,00769728,707
ChauveauLibLib19,02153.76%5,62215.89%74.05%19,02113,3992,96135,381
ChicoutimiPQPQ18,04755.81%4,93315.26%75.48%13,11418,04791426032,335
ChomedeyLibLib16,89553.39%9,11228.80%72.56%16,8957,7835,8895014769831,642
CrémazieLibLib15,10050.20%2,3647.86%79.06%15,10012,7361,38549636130,078
D'Arcy-McGeeLibEq15,74657.85%6,06922.30%76.34%9,67782915,74653217326227,219
Deux-MontagnesLibLib15,65646.48%5151.53%75.95%15,65615,1412,44943533,681
DorionLibLib11,63251.00%2,2079.68%75.95%11,6329,42587843743422,806
DrummondLibLib17,50656.26%4,99416.05%77.21%17,50612,5121,10031,118
DubucPQPQ12,58954.91%2,2529.82%73.04%10,33712,58922,926
DuplessisPQPQ12,06649.86%6102.52%71.70%11,45612,06667824,200
FabreLibLib16,28351.68%2,5798.19%79.27%16,28313,7041,52031,507
FrontenacLibLib17,07863.76%9,18334.28%80.90%17,0787,8951,81326,786
GaspéLibLib11,28751.00%1,9378.75%71.38%11,2879,3501,16033422,131
GatineauLibLib12,17956.00%5,05423.24%65.54%12,1797,1252,44621,750
GouinPQPQ10,56851.03%2,18510.55%73.38%8,38310,56892948234720,709
GroulxLibLib17,18448.10%1,3053.65%74.99%17,18415,8791,5891,07735,729
Hochelaga-Maisonneuve[a 2]PQPQ14,63963.50%7,89034.23%68.55%6,74914,63968532611453923,052
HullLibLib13,98055.25%4,54617.97%62.17%13,9809,43475167346325,301
IbervilleLibLib16,61751.07%3,2459.97%76.40%16,61713,3721,57697132,536
Îles-de-la-MadeleineLibLib4,37351.49%2532.98%83.77%4,3734,1208,493
Jacques-CartierLibEq14,82143.90%8022.38%79.84%14,0193,03514,8211,4192285019233,764
Jean-TalonLibLib16,53054.40%4,25814.01%83.87%16,53012,27297760630,385
Jeanne-ManceLibLib17,29665.06%10,33738.88%70.80%17,2966,9591,93039926,584
JohnsonPQPQ12,73149.22%1,1414.41%78.47%11,59012,73140146118523825725,863
JoliettePQPQ18,58260.68%9,53731.14%77.92%9,04518,5822,85414230,623
JonquièrePQPQ17,29456.05%5,50517.84%76.11%11,78917,2941,77430,857
Kamouraska-TémiscouataLibLib12,35455.67%4,12118.57%66.68%12,3548,2331,60522,192
L'AssomptionLibPQ18,59055.52%5,13415.33%80.24%13,45618,5901,43933,485
La PeltrieLibLib20,52852.17%4,27810.87%80.12%20,52816,2502,56739,345
LabelleLibPQ16,89754.80%2,9599.60%73.99%13,93816,89730,835
Lac-Saint-JeanPQPQ15,37055.04%3,62312.97%77.55%11,74715,37035645027,923
LaFontaineLibLib15,32857.83%5,75721.72%70.73%15,3289,57176384326,505
La PinièreNewLib17,15558.16%6,98523.68%76.28%17,15510,1701,23793529,497
LaporteLibLib11,72039.58%2,9079.82%78.70%11,7208,8131,2653777,43629,611
La PrairieNewPQ14,32047.28%7902.61%77.29%13,53014,3201,90652930,285
LaurierLibLib11,02754.98%5,37126.78%67.17%11,0275,6561,17077772170420,055
Laval-des-RapidesLibLib14,82151.52%2,1997.64%75.63%14,82112,62297235428,769
LaviolettePQPQ17,02166.18%8,32432.37%75.76%8,69717,02125,718
Les Chutes-de-la-ChaudièreNewPQ15,88948.94%1,0843.34%78.85%14,80515,8891,50527032,469
LévisPQPQ17,96866.67%9,50135.25%78.90%8,46717,96851726,952
LimoilouLibLib15,67155.50%5,87620.81%74.42%15,6719,7951,43664568928,236
LotbinièreLibLib13,33559.85%5,59325.10%78.23%13,3357,74261658922,282
Louis-HébertLibLib14,82247.67%8852.85%80.57%14,82213,9371,6575849631,096
Marguerite-BourgeoysLibLib12,72249.88%6,64726.06%75.09%12,7226,0756,17153825,506
Marie-VictorinPQPQ13,58253.68%3,54614.02%74.85%10,03613,5821,36032225,300
MarquetteLibLib13,45748.88%4,98018.09%74.57%13,4578,4774,76256926727,532
MaskinongéLibLib18,19163.63%7,79527.27%76.56%18,19110,39628,587
MassonNewPQ19,61559.42%7,96724.14%73.76%11,64819,6151,13561133,009
MataneLibLib11,06157.52%2,89115.03%72.26%11,0618,17019,231
MatapédiaLibLib11,08560.15%3,74020.29%73.19%11,0857,34518,430
Mégantic-ComptonLibLib12,60860.39%6,36230.47%76.69%12,6086,2461,03974024520,878
MercierPQPQ13,37157.15%6,25426.73%71.80%7,11713,3711,96156738223,398
Mille-ÎlesLibLib16,43656.67%3,86713.33%79.37%16,43612,56929,005
Mont-RoyalLibLib10,84653.57%8,39041.44%70.36%10,8462,4565,6819412299220,245
Montmagny-L'IsletLibLib12,68857.75%4,81421.91%71.21%12,6887,8741,40721,969
MontmorencyLibLib20,65359.95%9,37327.21%75.54%20,65311,2801,72652426634,449
NelliganLibLib16,28447.03%9,22126.63%74.44%16,2847,06310,24966436734,627
Nicolet-Yamaska[a 3]LibLib15,16460.14%6,22324.68%80.99%15,1648,9411,11125,216
Notre-Dame-de-GrâceLibEq11,63843.03%2,0907.73%75.34%9,5483,01711,6382,02438823419827,047
OrfordLibLib17,23657.48%7,63525.46%74.18%17,2369,6011,69686159429,988
OutremontLibLib11,77449.90%2,96412.56%76.19%11,7748,8101,89364946823,594
PapineauLibLib11,31350.68%6122.74%72.31%11,31310,70131022,324
Pointe-aux-TremblesNewPQ13,72550.41%1,7576.45%74.56%11,96813,7251,53527,228
PontiacLibLib9,51446.56%5,89028.82%64.01%9,5143,6246,2599568120,434
PortneufLibLib17,76870.70%10,40641.41%78.17%17,7687,36225,130
PrévostLibLib17,67655.36%3,42310.72%75.11%17,67614,25331,929
RichelieuLibLib15,79053.37%3,28811.11%79.76%15,79012,5021,29629,588
RichmondLibLib16,57868.77%10,31942.80%79.76%16,5786,25950655521024,108
RimouskiLibLib16,01956.29%3,57812.57%72.93%16,01912,44128,460
Rivière-du-LoupLibLib11,31754.48%2,58112.42%74.55%11,3178,73672020,773
Robert-BaldwinLibLib12,67146.05%9,11433.12%74.63%12,6713,55711,28727,515
RobervalPQLib14,93153.31%2,5078.95%71.91%14,93112,42465128,006
RosemontLibLib13,12146.97%1330.48%75.57%13,12112,9886201,20427,933
RousseauLibLib17,29260.25%5,88220.49%71.56%17,29211,41028,702
Rouyn-Noranda–TémiscamingueLibPQ13,77550.12%660.24%72.38%13,70913,77527,484
SaguenayLibLib9,27343.45%5022.35%64.78%9,2738,7713,29621,340
Saint-FrançoisLibLib14,96151.97%4,46915.52%74.92%14,96110,4921,88188456828,786
Saint-HenriLibLib10,76547.07%4792.09%70.50%10,76510,28697853031222,871
Saint-HyacintheLibLib17,30653.02%3,35010.26%77.73%17,30613,9561,38132,643
Saint-JeanLibLib19,41253.63%5,19014.34%78.11%19,41214,2227821,46331936,198
Saint-LaurentLibLib15,49352.13%9,93433.43%74.06%15,4935,5597,10186424815829729,720
Saint-LouisLibLib9,03440.58%2,37510.67%65.37%9,0346,6593,8151,80445713335822,260
Saint-MauriceLibLib12,85351.26%2,4399.73%76.61%12,85310,4141,80525,072
Sainte-AnneLibLib9,08941.18%1,1125.04%67.20%9,0897,9773,05794121834744322,072
Sainte-Marie–Saint-JacquesNewPQ15,48955.29%5,45019.45%70.25%10,03915,4891,48833210955728,014
Salaberry-SoulangesNewLib19,28557.04%4,76314.09%79.11%19,28514,52233,807
SauvéLibLib14,09158.44%5,00720.77%70.97%14,0919,08493624,111
SheffordPQPQ19,98456.88%5,92516.86%79.52%14,05919,9841,09135,134
SherbrookeLibLib14,60451.39%3,31411.66%76.31%14,60411,2901,57852142428,417
TaillonPQPQ18,98355.92%6,42118.91%74.83%12,56218,9831,36250853433,949
TaschereauLibLib10,17650.44%1,4357.11%74.05%10,1768,7411,25820,175
TerrebonnePQPQ15,69352.03%2,9409.75%75.84%12,75315,6931,71430,160
Trois-RivièresLibLib15,18154.53%3,56212.79%75.41%15,18111,61941341221627,841
UngavaPQPQ6,44250.96%2431.92%51.68%6,1996,44212,641
VachonLibLib15,46845.50%1140.34%73.76%15,46815,3541,21662097936133,998
VanierLibLib16,65054.15%4,81415.66%74.10%16,65011,8361,13196216930,748
VaudreuilNewLib16,14651.40%5,67118.05%76.75%16,14610,4752,8521,76617131,410
VerchèresPQPQ16,65147.76%6992.01%78.98%15,95216,6511,1001,15834,861
VerdunLibLib8,29538.58%1,3676.36%75.20%8,2956,9284,85766438737221,503
ViauLibLib13,96561.48%6,78129.85%69.07%13,9657,18495461322,716
VigerLibLib16,84760.73%8,77231.62%76.21%16,8478,0751,83187711127,741
VimontLibLib17,65048.48%5831.60%78.02%17,65017,0671,13855336,408
WestmountLibEq8,80140.64%5132.37%73.41%8,2882,3768,8011,62043014321,658
  = 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
  = Unity Party candidates
  = multiple candidates

Analysis

Party candidates in 2nd place[2]
Party in 1st placeParty in 2nd placeTotal
LibPQEqUn
Liberal865192
Parti Québécois2929
Equality44
Total338651125
Candidates ranked 1st to 5th place, by party[2]
Parties1st2nd3rd4th5th
 Liberal9233
 Parti Québécois298610
 Equality4510
 Unity1123
 Green3214
 New Democratic202310
 Independent6103
 Green42211
 Lemon334
 Workers327
 Independent276
 Socialist Movement221
 Marxist–Leninist219
 Progressive Conservative152
 United Social Credit124
 Ind-PQ1
 Parti indépendantiste63
 Parti 5128
 Commonwealth of Canada12
 Communist1
Resulting composition of the 31st Quebec Legislative Assembly[3]
SourceParty
LibPQEqTotal
Seats retainedIncumbents returned701484
Open seats held16622
Seats changing handsIncumbents defeated426
Open seats gained22
Byelection gains held22
New seatsNew MNAs134
Previously incumbent in another riding32
Total92294125


See also

References

Further reading