Éric Duhaime “does not understand” that Jean Boulet can still be a CAQ candidate after the latter’s statements about immigration.
• Read also: Jean Boulet “disqualified” from the post of Minister of Immigration, says Legault
• Read also: English: “Suicidal” to welcome more than 50,000 immigrants a year for the Quebec nation, according to Legault
“I don’t understand how it is that this guy is still a CAQ candidate this morning,” said the conservative leader Thursday morning during an interview with CHOI Radio X.
Photo Taieb Moalla
Conservative leader Éric Duhaime was at the microphone of host Dominic Mavais at CHOI Radio X in Quebec City on Thursday morning.
Mr. Duhaime was surprised to see that Mr. Boulet still remains a candidate in Trois-Rivières, while Prime Minister Legault himself said that his immigration minister was “disqualified”.
If the outgoing Minister of Immigration remains in the race, Éric Duhaime calls on voters to show him the door next Monday.
“He still apologized. I’m not accusing him of being a racist, but I think his comments are so inappropriate that it disqualifies him. What I don’t understand is that Mr. Legault says he is disqualified and, in the same sentence, he wants the world to vote for him on October 3, ”he was indignant.
Photo Taieb Moalla
To promote physical activity, Éric Duhaime ran Thursday morning on the Plains of Abraham.
In the absence of a withdrawal of candidacy, the Conservative leader launched this appeal to the people of Trois-Rivières: “I ask the voters to disqualify them too. On October 3, he must be beaten soundly.
Jean Boulet, outgoing Minister of Immigration, said last week that 80% of immigrants “do not work, do not speak French, or do not adhere to the values of Quebec society”. He later apologized.
Boulet wants to stay
During an interview on Mario Dumont’s show on Thursday morning, Jean Boulet said he has no intention of retiring, in response to Éric Duhaime’s comments.
“You can’t define a career on a debate, on a clumsy statement that was made in an hour-and-a-half debate,” he said.
He claims to be “deeply disappointed” with the comments he made, and that these do not reflect what he thinks and what he is. “Everyone who knows me knows very well that everything I do is to promote a human welcome for all people who come from abroad,” he said.
Generational division
On the other hand, the Conservative leader was worried about “the generational divide” which is taking shape in a marked way in Quebec. According to several polls, the Conservatives have their best results among young people, while seniors seem to be turning away from the party.
“It worries me a lot to see the gap that is widening (…) It’s not a fracture that is desirable”, he dropped, calling on young conservatives to convince their parents and their grandparents to vote for the PCQ.
He also urged older voters to “think ahead” and “look ahead” when casting their ballots.
– With the collaboration of Gabriel Côté