The mayor of Gatineau, France Bélisle, resigns from her position and leaves her place to municipal councilor Daniel Champagne who will take over as city hall.
During a press conference late Thursday afternoon, Mr.me Bélisle explains with emotion that she made this decision, among other things, to “preserve her health for the future,” mentioning the difficult climate in which elected officials across Quebec operate.
She also says she witnesses behavior on the part of elected officials and members of the public who do not share her values and sees decisions on the horizon with which she does not wish to see her name associated.
“Since the start of my mandate, I have also witnessed comments and ways of doing things that concern me,” she adds. Personal attacks that go beyond criticism, elected officials who do not play their role in the right place or at the right time, death threats by certain members of the public, decisions and directions taken for such partisan purposes.
Mme Bélisle says he experiences a conflict of values.
“These behaviors frankly make me uncomfortable and interfere with my deep values,” she said. Just as important as my values, there are those that should guide the municipal world. The integrity of council members, the honor attached to the duties of being an elected official, integrity, loyalty to loyalty. They made me choose the municipal world, but unfortunately, I feel that we have collectively lost our way.”
- Listen to the interview with Jacques Demers, president of the Fédération Québécoise des Municipalités, via QUB :
“To stay would be to endorse a system with which I no longer wish to be associated,” she continues.
The City of Gatineau will provide details this week regarding what awaits the municipal organization following the resignation of the mayor.
In reaction to the news, the mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, said he was sad to “lose a friend” in a publication on X (formerly Twitter).
“Quebec is losing a great mayor,” he adds. It’s a real honor and happiness to have been by your side.”
The Union of Municipalities of Quebec (UMQ) also reacted in a press release by saluting “its remarkable commitment” in recent years.
“His openness and great empathy make him a notable figure in the municipal world, always ready to make changes and defend the values of equality and social causes, even in the most difficult contexts,” shares the president of the UMQ, Martin Damphousse.
France Bélisle is a journalist by training and was notably CEO of Tourisme Outaouais from 2015 to 2021, the year in which she was elected mayor of Gatineau, having presented herself as an independent candidate.