Independent MP Marie Montpetit announced on Tuesday that she will not seek a new electoral mandate next fall.
“After more than eight years of intense political commitment, I am leaving life at the National Assembly very proud of the work I have accomplished,” said Ms.me Montpetit at a press conference.
Elected in 2014 in the Montreal riding of Crémazie (renamed Maurice-Richard in 2018), she was Minister of Culture and Communications in the government of Philippe Couillard.
Marie Montpetit was expelled from the Liberal caucus last November due to allegations of psychological harassment towards her staff. On Tuesday, she again stressed that no official complaint had been made against her. “I have nothing to reproach myself for,” she maintained.
The elected official affirmed to leave in a “very serene way” and not to close the door to a possible return to politics. “But right now, I need to go do something else. »
Anglade “disrespected”, says Montpetit
Regarding her ejection from the Liberal caucus by leader Dominique Anglade, the MP said she was “disappointed with the way things were done”. “The least of things in a situation like this would have been, [la part de Mme Anglade] or his team, to contact me, “said Mr.me Montpetit. The latter also deplored the absence of an independent investigation into the allegations against her.
According to the MP, the Liberal leader “disrespected” her. Marie Montpetit therefore announced that she would not vote for her former party in the next elections, due to “circumstances”; however, she retains her membership card.
Mme Montpetit ruled out the idea of bringing a lawsuit against the Liberal Party of Quebec. “There is no money that will be able to replace the consequences of what happened,” said the elected.
Asked whether the exclusion of the MP from the Liberal caucus was unfounded, the parliamentary leader of the official opposition, André Fortin, said he could not comment “on the substance of the matter”. “I trust the chef, the information she had and the decisions she made,” he said at a press briefing.