# CAQ Government Marks 4 Years in Power as Billionaire Co-Founder's Influence Scrutinized
**Quebec City, Canada** - As the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government led by Premier François Legault marks its fourth year in power, questions are being raised about the influence of the party's billionaire co-founder, Richard Sirois.
The CAQ, founded in 2011 by Legault and Sirois, swept to power in Quebec's 2018 provincial election, ending nearly 15 years of Liberal rule. Since taking office in 2019, the CAQ government has pursued a nationalist agenda focused on protecting Quebec's French language and secular values.
However, critics argue that the government's policies have disproportionately benefited wealthy Quebecers like Sirois, while working-class voters who supported the CAQ have seen little improvement in their economic situation.
"There's a growing perception that the CAQ is more interested in serving the interests of its wealthy backers than average Quebecers," said political analyst Marie Tremblay. "The connection to Sirois, even if he's no longer officially involved with the party, raises questions about who really benefits from CAQ policies."
Sirois, who made his fortune in the tech industry, has kept a low public profile since the CAQ's election victory. However, financial records show that companies associated with Sirois have received several lucrative government contracts since 2019.
The opposition Parti Québécois has called for an investigation into potential conflicts of interest. "The people of Quebec deserve to know if their government is working for them or for the personal enrichment of CAQ insiders," said PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
Premier Legault has dismissed such criticisms, insisting that all government contracts are awarded through proper channels. "Richard Sirois is a private citizen who has no role in our government," Legault said at a recent press conference. "Any suggestion of impropriety is baseless and politically motivated."
Despite the controversy, the CAQ remains popular with voters. Recent polls show the party with a comfortable lead heading into next year's provincial election. Political observers attribute this to Legault's strong handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his government's focus on issues that resonate with many Quebecers, such as immigration restrictions and the promotion of French language rights.
"Legault has successfully positioned the CAQ as defenders of Quebec's distinct identity," noted University of Montreal political science professor Jean Bouchard. "For many voters, this trumps concerns about the party's ties to wealthy elites."
As the CAQ enters its fifth year in power, the debate over Sirois's influence is likely to intensify. With another election on the horizon, opposition parties are sure to make the government's connections to big business a key campaign issue.
For now, Premier Legault remains focused on his legislative agenda, including controversial reforms to Quebec's language laws. Whether voters will ultimately care more about protecting French or probing the CAQ's wealthy backers remains to be seen.
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