Former Liberal justice minister Kathleen Weil “absolutely supports the leadership” of official opposition leader Dominique Anglade, but the latter must say the words “I apologize” to the member excluded from the caucus Marie-Claude Nichols.
From Ms. Anglade, “we heard: ‘It went too far’, but I think everyone needs: ‘I’m sorry'”, says Ms. Weil at the To have to. Last Tuesday, Ms. Nichols said in a letter addressed to the deputies of the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) that she had received no apology from the leader for her ejection.
The expulsion of Mrs. Nichols, on October 27, is a “serious punishment”, says Kathleen Weil. “She was wrong, I couldn’t believe it. I said: ‘Oh my God, what has she just done Dominique? Our Lady of Grace.
Last Tuesday, Ms. Nichols maintained, in an interview with RDI, that the “outstretched hand” of the chef was not a real one. It is rather a “public relations operation”, said the elected official, 24 hours after meeting Ms. Anglade. The latter no longer has “the leadership to be at the head of the Liberal Party of Quebec,” she added, after announcing that she refused to rejoin the caucus.
Despite this, Kathleen Weil believes that it is “never too late” for a new attempt by Dominique Anglade to repair the broken pots with Ms. Nichols. “Marie-Claude, she is wonderful. She is a brilliant, competent, extraordinary elected official, we need her, the Quebec Liberal Party needs her. “However, the member for Vaudreuil “may not be ready yet” to restore the relationship, underlines Ms. Weil.
Last Wednesday, former minister Nicole Ménard joined her voice to former elected members of the PLQ demanding the departure of Ms. Anglade. Liberals who have left politics like Lise Thériault, Paule Robitaille and Gaétan Barrette have made similar speeches.
For her part, Ms. Weil maintains that Dominique Anglade “is the person” to lead the official opposition in the National Assembly. “I believe in Dominica, I have always believed in Dominica. We see it during the question period [à l’Assemblée nationale], she is in control of all her files. »
Last week, Ms Nichols was expelled from the Liberal ranks after refusing transport-related files in the Liberal shadow cabinet. She coveted the third vice-presidency – a position reserved for the official opposition – but the leader instead gave her support to Frantz Benjamin, re-elected in Viau.
With The Canadian Press
Further details will follow.