(Quebec) The member for Laurier-Dorion Andrés Fontecilla is behind his colleague Ruba Ghazal in the race for the post of co-spokesperson for Quebec solidaire and believes that immigrants and the children of immigrants will also support this “child of law 101”.
“From Ruba’s whole personality, and her speech, I think she is able to get a lot of support from delegates who were not born here, who are of immigrant background” , he says in an interview.
Mr. Fontecilla decided to support Mr.me Ghazal because of his personality, his background and his political positioning. The MNA for Mercier, by focusing her speech on independence, nationalism and the protection of the French language, could allow Québec solidaire to make gains in the regions and in the suburbs, he believes.
“Ruba comes from immigration, a proud Palestinian, child of Law 101, she embraced Quebec, its history, its people, its culture, its territory and its independence emancipation project. It speaks to people. People in the regions think in terms of the future of the Quebec nation. Ruba can talk to them. It cannot be summed up in a regionalist discourse,” said Mr. Fontecilla.
Two other candidates are in the running to replace Manon Massé as female co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire: Émilise Lessard-Therrien, former MP for Rouyn-Noranda–Témiscamingue, and Christine Labrie, MP for Sherbrooke.
Mr. Fontecilla believes that it is simplistic to make a simple match between the origin of a deputy and his ability to attract votes in the region.
Plateau Mont-Royal
“It may seem paradoxical, but you have to be wary of labels. I am convinced that people in the regions think above all in terms of the future of the francophone nation. Who is in a position to challenge these people the most? It could be a girl from Plateau Mont-Royal, ”drops Mr. Fontecilla.
This is also the bet of Ruba Ghazal, who points out that François Legault and some of his ministers do not reside in the constituencies they represent. It’s not because they live in “Outremont or L’Île-des-Sœurs” that it prevents them from having success everywhere in Quebec. “It’s the political offer that is important, not just the address. That’s what I want to do: it’s to bring a national discourse that speaks to all Quebecers. »
They like it that a girl like me, born elsewhere, who arrived in Quebec not speaking French, who learned it in a reception class, carries Quebec and loves it as anyone could. ‘to like.
Ruba Ghazal
Mme Ghazal also believes that Québec solidaire has a lot to gain from talking more about independence and nationalism, by not leaving all the room to what she calls the “identity right”. “The identity right, the other parties that support independence, have thrown in the towel a little bit in relation to immigrants and their children […] whether it’s nationalism at the CAQ, whether it’s the PQ, they have thrown in the towel with regard to immigrants,” she says.