Leading in the Polls: Maude Marquis-Bissonnette Ahead in Two-Way Race
A recent telephone survey conducted in the middle of the campaign and published by Radio-Canada has revealed that Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, the leader of the Action Gatineau party, remains the top choice among Gatineau voters to succeed France Bélisle as mayor. With 37% of respondents’ support, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette holds a significant lead over her closest rival, former Hull mayor Yves Ducharme, who garnered 23% of the vote. The survey, conducted by Segma Recherche from May 13 to May 23, 2024, among 1000 Gatineau voters, comes with a margin of error of 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.
Despite her lead, pollster Marc Bouchard from Segma Recherche advises caution in interpreting the results, as past experiences have shown that being ahead in the polls does not guarantee victory on election day. The survey data also indicates that Marquis-Bissonnette has strong support among younger voters, while Ducharme’s base is primarily composed of older voters. The key for Marquis-Bissonnette will be to ensure that her supporters turn out to vote, especially since a significant portion of respondents (31%) plan to vote on June 2 during advance polling.
Optimism and Strategy: Candidates’ Reactions and Campaign Efforts
In response to the survey results, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing the importance of voter turnout on election day. She highlighted the need to continue engaging with voters and sticking to her campaign strategy until the final votes are cast. Yves Ducharme, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction with the results, noting that the race is where he wants it to be at this stage.
The survey confirms that the mayoral race in Gatineau is primarily a two-way contest, with the other five candidates trailing significantly behind the frontrunners. Olive Kamanyana, Stéphane Bisson, and Daniel Feeny are engaged in a close battle for the third spot, with each candidate highlighting their commitment to grassroots campaigning and connecting with voters on the ground.
Preferences and Perceptions: Independent vs. Party-Affiliated Candidates
While Maude Marquis-Bissonnette leads in the polls as a candidate affiliated with a political party, the survey results indicate that nearly half of Gatineau voters (49%) prefer an independent mayor. Only 18% express a preference for a party-affiliated candidate, while 29% have no preference. Additionally, respondents show less inclination to vote for a candidate from a business background, with a clear preference for candidates with recent involvement in municipal politics.
Overall, the survey data highlights the dynamic nature of the mayoral race in Gatineau, with a significant portion of voters still undecided and key factors such as candidate experience and affiliations influencing voter perceptions. As the campaign intensifies leading up to election day, candidates will need to mobilize their supporters and address voter concerns to secure victory in a closely contested race.
