Pauline Marois loses seat, Parti Qubcois loses power

This is not the result that Parti Qubcois Leader Pauline Maroisexpected when she triggered Quebec's provincial election back on March 5.

Maroislosther seat in the riding of Charlevoix-Cte-de-Beauprto Liberal opponentCaroline Simard.

The race saw them swap the lead several times Monday night, but when the final ballots were counted, Simard had defeatedthe premier by almost 800votes.

The Liberal candidate took 35 per cent of the popular vote. The PQ leader won 33 per cent and Coalition AvenirQubec candidate Ian Latrmouille captured 26per cent.

Hers was one of the few tight races between her party and the Liberals, whowalkedaway with a resounding majorityin the National Assembly.

An emotional Marois said she was "saddened" by the result and announced that she would step down as partyleader.

"We had so much to offer, so much to accomplish for Quebecers," she said. "We are very proud of our 18 months as government. In that short period, we did a lot of good and great things."

Election call a calculated gamble

The Parti Qubcois's decision to call an election for April 7 was a gamble from the start.

Riding a wave of popular support for its proposed secular charter, there was widespread confidence in PQranks that they had the numbers to win the majority they failed to secure in 2012.

The PQtook 54 out of 125 seats in Quebec's National Assembly in 2012.

The controversial proposed legislation, which would bar public-sector workers from wearing overt religious symbols, is popular outside urban centres such as Montreal or Quebec City. However, it has been met with fierce opposition by some school boards, health-care institutions and municipalities.

• SPECIAL REPORT: Quebec's secular 'values' charter
• THE CURRENT: Will the proposed secular charter help or hurt Quebec?
• ANALYSIS: The political steamroller that is Quebec's charter of values

However, Marois insisted the main reason she was sending Quebecers to the polls was the opposition to her governments budget by the Liberals and CAQ.

Both parties said the budget reflected the PQ'sskewed priorities, namely its preoccupation with identity issues such as secularism over the provinces economic health.

The PQ called their budget responsible and reasonable, and said it addressed Quebecs needs.

• Quebec government to table budget ahead of looming election
• Parti Qubcois budget aimed at triggering election, opposition says

Marois moved to buttress the PQs economic credentials with the recruitment of businessman Pierre Karl Pladeau, owner of the Quebecor empire, as the PQs candidate in Saint-Jrme.

The strategy quickly went awry with Pladeaus unguarded comments about his desire to build an independent Quebec for his children.

• Pierre Karl Pladeau to run for PQ in Saint-Jrme
• ANALYSIS:For the PQ, the two-edged sword that is Pierre Karl Pladeau

Rather than bringing attention to thePQseconomic platform and strengths,Pladeausarrival instead brought the issue of sovereignty to the fore.

The resulting situation went counter to traditional PQ election strategy, which usually works to limit talk of sovereignty in order to avoid scaring off potential supporters.

Marois added to her partys woes by openly discussing her vision of what an independent Quebec would look like.

• ANALYSIS:Quebec sovereignty talk masks an inconvenient truth
• Pauline Marois says independent Quebec would have no borders or tolls
• Pauling Marois regrets talking sovereignty during campaign

Talk of a PQ majority quickly evaporated as the Liberals and CAQ stoked fears that Marois would call a referendum on sovereignty if elected.

Marois later admitted that the focus on sovereignty was aregrettable development.