The chief government whip, Éric Lefebvre, announced his departure from the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) on Tuesday. He plans to run for the Conservative Party of Canada in the next federal election.
Mr. Lefebvre declared on social networks that in the meantime he will continue to represent the riding of Arthabaska as an independent deputy.
“Thank you to my colleagues and collaborators for all these wonderful years,” he declared.
I have submitted my resignation to the Prime Minister, as I will be running for the Conservative Party of Canada in the next federal election. (1/2)
— Éric Lefebvre (@EricLefebvreCAQ) April 16, 2024
Mr. Lefebvre had been a deputy since 2016, after being elected in a complementary ballot. Since 2018, he has been chief whip, a position whose role is to ensure the discipline of the caucus.
Prime Minister François Legault said he was informed Tuesday evening by Mr. Lefebvre of his decision.
“In this context, I asked him to withdraw from the CAQ caucus. Thank you, Eric, for your years of public service and good luck in your new challenges,” he wrote on social networks.
Very proud that@EricLefebvreCAQ be part of the common-sense Conservative team to help us cut taxes, build housing, repair the budget and stop crime.
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) April 17, 2024
The date of the next federal elections is not known, but by sitting as an independent, Mr. Lefebvre will prevent the CAQ from being exposed to a by-election in the context where the political group is in a disadvantageous position in the polls against the Party Quebecois.
The departure last summer of MP Joëlle Boutin, in Quebec, forced a by-election which allowed the election of PQ Pascal Paradis in the riding of Jean-Talon, in October.
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