Liberal MP Pierre Arcand leaves politics. The news, first published this morning by The Presswas confirmed and relayed by several other media.
The former interim leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) will “officially” announce on Monday that he will not stand again in the provincial elections next October, thus adding himself to the list of deputies who have decided like him not to stand for re-election in the fall of 2022.
He becomes the eleventh Liberal out of a caucus of 27 MPs to announce his departure. Among them, former Minister of Health Gaétan Barrette as well as former ministers Lise Thériault, Christine St-Pierre and Hélène David and Francine Charbonneau.
Mr. Arcand is retiring after a 15-year political career on the provincial scene. He was elected under the Liberal banner for the first time in 2007 in the riding of Mont-Royal-Outremont.
Before entering politics in 2007, the MP had a career in the radio industry. He was a journalist, station owner and president of Corus Québec.
In politics, he held several positions in the Charest and Couillard governments. He was President of the Treasury Board, Minister of the Environment, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister of International Relations. For a year and a half, he kept the strong liberal, as interim leader, between the departure of Philippe Couillard and the appointment of Dominique Anglade.
In interview at The Press On Sunday, Mr. Arcand said he wanted to have “more space for freedom” and that he wanted to take more time with his loved ones.
With The Canadian Press
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