Francine Charbonneau steps into MNA 101

Finishing a strong second, Donato Centomo was happy with his performance, at 36.6%. "We consolidated the PQ vote," he said, "despite starting to campaign eight days late," pointing to delayed selection of PQ candidates in four Laval ridings. "I didn’t have enough time to get myself known," added the first-time candidate who picked up 12,124 of about 33,000 ballots. "Tomorrow, I'm back in my legal aid office," he specified, resignation in his voice. The ADQ's Pierre Tremblay considers the election "an affront to democracy," as many supporters stayed home. Despite 1,108 new voters added to the list, the turn-out was 8,000 less than 2007.

"The Liberals and PQ maintained 2007 levels," he explained, noting the two parties' combined increase of only 321 voters. He admitted "extreme disappointment" with the many Quebecers who abdicated their democratic duty. "How can people wait 20 minutes to save 5 cents on gas, but are unwilling to invest 15 minutes to vote." Mr. Tremblay, whose total dropped by 7,742 ballots from 2007, thinks that more than the ADQ, Quebec is the big loser in last Monday's vote. "I think we're going to pay for it the next few years." For now, he's put his political career on hold, although he will maintain ADQ membership.