In the wake of the resignation of Émilise Lessard-Therrien from her position as co-spokesperson, the National Commission for Women of Québec Solidaire (QS) denounces the muzzling of women and “the growing influence of people not democratically elected” within the party.
The commission says it has sounded the “alarm bells repeatedly”. “The testimonies of disappointed ex-candidates, demobilized members, women from several constituencies, associations or bodies, as well as recurring tensions on parity issues are accumulating and constitute a worrying whole which highlights a crucial issue to which it is imperative to tackle,” we read in a message posted on Facebook on Tuesday.
We also express concern that “male voices increasingly dominate within the authorities, staff and elected officials of Québec solidaire”.
“Fundamental principles of the party, such as parity, are called into question or labeled “radical” with the risk of silencing many women,” we add.
“One thing is clear: it is imperative to let women speak and to stop muzzling their ideas or their interventions to correspond to a certain image,” we can read in the message.
The head of the National Commission for Women, Royse Henderson, writes that the resignation of Émilise Lessard-Therrien “highlights a deep crisis within Québec solidaire, a crisis which calls into question the place of women and the voice of activists in the party.”
We also express concern about “the growing influence of people who are not democratically elected, who make crucial decisions on the communication and media direction of the party without being held accountable to the members”.
“QS is not a boys club”
The party’s new interim co-spokesperson, Christine Labrie, says she takes the commission’s message “very seriously”.
“Québec Solidaire is not a “boys club” in my eyes. That does not mean that there are not best practices to adopt to ensure that it is a place of development for everyone, especially women,” she said Tuesday morning in press briefing at the National Assembly.
The party has been in crisis since the departure of Émilise Lessard-Therrien just a few months after being elected. In a message where she explains the reasons for her departure, she criticizes the “small team of professionals woven tightly around” Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
Last Friday, two employees and close collaborators of Mr. Nadeau-Dubois left the party headquarters.
Last week, the parliamentary leader came to present his vision, saying he wants QS to become a “government party” with a more “pragmatic” program and a lighter structure.