(Quebec) One week before the vote in Jean-Talon, Prime Minister François Legault went to the field in person Monday evening to help his candidate Marie-Anik Shoiry and meet voters.
“You’re doing a good job!” » says Jean Desmarteau when the Prime Minister comes to meet him on his steps.
The man who works in the construction sector for the National Bank appreciates the Prime Minister’s style.
“Don’t be embarrassed!” I know there is political pressure and journalists. Stay yourself. Continue to speak with the public as you do,” he advises.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Jean Desmarteau (left)
Although Mr. Desmarteau admits to still being a PQ, he suggests that he will vote for the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ). “I know that you have nationalist fibers which are strong […] You know you are the only one who can do it! » he said to the prime minister in reference to independence.
Amused, François Legault assures that this is not his intention, before ending the meeting with the citizen to the laughter of his team.
“Worse, haven’t you become a sovereignist? »
The Prime Minister toured the doors pre-selected by his team on a street in the upscale Sillery district of Quebec. The goal is to get out the vote for Marie-Anik Shoiry.
Not all of them were CAQ voters, however. During his walk, the Prime Minister met the former rector of Laval University and former Liberal MP for Charlesbourg, Michel Pigeon, who welcomed him in slippers in his parking lot.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Michel Pigeon (right)
He indicates that he has already voted, and does not want to get too far ahead of his choice. We understand with his restraint that he most certainly did not vote for the CAQ candidate.
“Worse, haven’t you become a sovereignist? », asks the Prime Minister.
“The values are very stable,” replies the former liberal elected official with a smirk.
Michel Pigeon, however, talks to him at length about the environment and even gives him a copy of his book. Young people and climate change.
“What concerns me is really the environment and social issues,” he explains, proudly pointing to his electric car parked behind him.
Other voters interviewed admit without reservation that they have already voted for the CAQ candidate or that they intend to do so. The Prime Minister takes advantage of his meetings to chat about anything and everything with citizens.
François Legault takes up a lot of space during discussions with voters, leaving little space for his candidate, who will say very few words during the door-to-door session.
In the press scrum after the departure of the Prime Minister, Mme Shoiry says he doesn’t see the prime minister’s help as a sign of a close fight to come.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
François Legault and Marie-Anik Shoiry
“I don’t take anything for granted. We work very, very hard. We will work hard until the end. The reception is very good on the ground,” she assures.
Advance voting for the partial election took place on September 24 and 25. The voters of Jean-Talon will elect their next deputy on October 2. This is the fourth complementary election in this constituency since 2008.