(Québec) Despite the outings of the president of Québec solidaire (QS) and former candidates, the aspirant elected in Jean-Talon, Olivier Bolduc, has no intention of withdrawing from the nomination contest for the future by-election in this riding.
“It’s out of the question that I give up my place,” he says bluntly in an interview with The Canadian Press.
“That would mean that I take away the choice from the members of Jean-Talon. They are the ones who must decide if I should be the next candidate for QS,” adds Mr. Bolduc.
Monday evening – just hours after the announcement of Olivier Bolduc’s candidacy – an email signed by the president of the party, Nicolas Chatel-Launay, was sent to the members of QS de Jean-Talon encouraging them “strongly” to choose a woman as a candidate for the by-election in this constituency.
Also, several former candidates and activists of the party have indicated to The Canadian Press that they would prefer to see a woman in place of Mr. Bolduc. Some have even suggested that he should give up his place and join a possible female candidate.
For now, Olivier Bolduc is the only officially declared candidate for the nomination at QS.
These outings do not shake the principal concerned. “I knew it was coming, something like that. […] It’s healthy to have debates. It worries me much more to see a party like the Coalition avenir Québec where the leader decides everything,” says Olivier Bolduc.
“I’m certain to have the full and unconditional support of the caucus if I’m the one chosen by the members of Jean-Talon,” he adds.
The elected candidate still believes that action must be taken to ensure that more women are elected to the National Assembly.
“It’s necessary, but it’s extremely delicate work and I don’t think it can be done quickly on the corner of the table because Joëlle Boutin resigned from Jean-Talon. It is a long process. We have to think about it,” says Mr. Bolduc.
Currently, there are four women and eight men in the solidarity caucus in the National Assembly. It is a man, Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, who was elected during the by-election in Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne last March.
During its national council last February, the party voted in favor of a proposal to put in place means to impose female candidates in future elections.
The by-election in Jean-Talon must be held within six months.