The CAQ MP for Saint-Jérôme, Youri Chassin, refused to explain his absence during the swearing-in of the Council of Ministers last Thursday, unlike several of his colleagues who assured that they were not “babooning” .
At least four elected officials did not attend the ceremony during which Prime Minister François Legault presented his new ministerial team.
In a brief interview with To have toMr. Chassin refused to explain why he did not participate in the event.
“I was absent, that being said, I will not comment,” he said, declining an interview request. I prefer for the moment not to comment. »
Reignited, Mr. Chassin refused to rule out the possibility that he was absent due to his disappointment at not being part of the cabinet.
“I prefer not to comment,” he explained. Obviously that implies that we can conclude many things, but I prefer not to comment. »
He did not rule out the possibility of making comments on social media to explain his absence. But one thing is certain, it will “definitely” not be this Monday.
“Eventually, there will undoubtedly be some, but for the moment, I prefer to save this time so as not to comment,” he said.
No “baboon”
MP for Drummond-Bois-Francs, Sébastien Schneeberger, said Monday that his absence was not motivated by any disappointment at not being in the cabinet.
“I was not absent because I was playing the baboune, he told the To have to. I had something at home and I thought it was more important. »
Mr. Schneeberger notified the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday, the day before the swearing-in, that he had a personal commitment preventing him from being present at the event, which took place at the National Assembly.
“If you are not appointed minister and you go there as a deputy, you go there out of courtesy,” he said to emphasize that his presence was optional.
During the last Parliament, Mr. Schneeberger was Deputy Government House Leader. On Monday, he explained that he had asked for something other than a seat on the Council of Ministers, which did not prevent him from being still disappointed not to access it.
“We’re always a little disappointed,” he said. Anyway, I had already asked for something else before the election. We’ll see if I’ll get it or not. I’ll let you know if I’m disappointed in the next few days. »
Sinusitis and medical appointment
Sylvie D’Amours, MP for Mirabel, confirmed that she was absent last Thursday due to medical appointments.
Chief whip Éric Lefebvre had been warned two days earlier, she told the To have to, specifying that it turned out to be too complicated to change his appointment. In addition, she suffers from sinusitis.
“I asked for it a little last minute on Tuesday morning,” she said. We had known the week before when we would be at the National Assembly. »
Mme D’Amours hoped to obtain the support of Mr. Legault to become the next president of the National Assembly. But the Prime Minister has instead chosen the former Minister of Culture, Nathalie Roy, who will be a candidate for the post when parliamentary work resumes.
Former Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Sylvie D’Amours was not surprised not to be called to be part of the cabinet again.
“I’m not bitter, I’m not disappointed, I’m just a little sick,” she said. I just have a good sinusitis that is slow to heal. »
Another absentee, the member for Orford, Gilles Bélanger, had “appointments” last Thursday. This absence had been announced beforehand to the office of Mr. Legault and, there too, there was “no question of making the baboune”, it was indicated.
Last week, Mr. Legault insisted on the importance of maintaining unity in his party. He said he would not tolerate “family bickering”.