(Quebec) The Parti Québécois (PQ) opposed the tabling of the motion by Québec solidaire (QS) denouncing the remarks of columnist Gilles Proulx.
PQ MP Pascal Bérubé stood up in the Blue Room arguing that “Parliament is not a court”.
The motion, presented by QS on Tuesday afternoon, did not explicitly mention the name of Gilles Proulx, but referred to his remarks. In particular, we wanted the National Assembly to “denounce the comments made earlier in March on QUB Radio about the deputies of the second opposition group, calling them in particular ‘bastards’ and ‘scumbags'”.
The Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ), the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) as well as the independent deputies supported the motion. However, unanimity was necessary for it to be tabled.
Solidarity MP Alexandre Leduc said he was “very disappointed” that the PQ opposed the motion. “We had the opportunity to stick together. The PQ missed the boat. »
“We proposed amendments which were refused,” retorted Pascal Bérubé. We wanted it to be a general motion, but they really wanted it to be stuck on Gilles Proulx to try to rally the chamber to their cause and gain political capital. »
Earlier Tuesday morning, QS said that he will ultimately not file a complaint against Gilles Proulx, for his insulting remarks against the party on the airwaves of QUB Radio.
The political party had threatened last week to initiate legal proceedings against Mr. Proulx.
At a press conference at the National Assembly, QS co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois said the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) contacted QS to ask if the party wanted to file a complaint. QS refused to do so.
“QS’s goal is not to drag anyone to court. It is to send a message that we should not do this in Quebec, that it is not correct to do this and that there are limits that should not be crossed, ”he said.
Mr. Nadeau-Dubois also said that the SQ had contacted Gilles Proulx, but that he had no details of the discussion.
The party intends to boycott the radio station’s broadcasts until it receives a public apology and a full retraction from the columnist.
Mr. Nadeau-Dubois argues that Gilles Proulx’s comments are dangerous for the safety of elected officials.
“We have nothing to wax of excuses from Gilles Proulx”
In covert words on Tuesday, the interim Liberal leader, Marc Tanguay, asked that Gilles Proulx be taken off the air.
“Quebec solidaire has asked for an apology from Gilles Proulx. We don’t care about Gilles Proulx’s apologies. We ask QUB radio to take its responsibilities,” he said.
The PLQ has no intention of boycotting QUB Radio’s broadcasts.
The Liberals were not spared by the columnist. Last September, Gilles Proulx called them “bastard stinking demagogues to be beaten”.
“Freedom of expression I am, but at some point not everything can be allowed,” added Mr. Tanguay.