Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois has indeed considered leaving his place as co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire (QS). On the eve of a vote on his leadership, he admitted on Saturday that the criticism leveled at him in recent months had ended up undermining his confidence.
In conference almost two weeks after the publication of the book The hotheads of the former solidarity MP Catherine Dorion, the leader of QS admitted having difficulty accepting the criticism which recently emerged “from within” his party.
“In politics, we are always criticized in the media, by our opponents. It’s part of the game, and over time you develop a tough rind. There are also criticisms that come from within, and these are the ones that penetrate,” he said in a speech to solidarity activists in Gatineau.
In his book, Mme Dorion, who worked with Mr. Nadeau-Dubois for four years in the solidarity caucus, accuses him of having engaged, as solidarity co-spokesperson, in “emotional and [à des] power negotiations.” Last week, the main person admitted that he still had several things to “learn”.
Still, the member for Gouin “asked questions” this fall, as he did following the 2022 elections, at the end of which his party remained at around 15% of the vote.
“My name is Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, I have a one and a half year old daughter, I really like hockey and I live in La Petite-Patrie. If I start like that, it’s because I thought in the last year that it might be okay for me to be just that. That maybe it was enough like that,” said Mr. Nadeau-Dubois, under the watchful gaze of his daughter, who was repeating “daddy, daddy” from the back of the room.
” Disappointed “
The 33-year-old elected official said on Saturday that he went for a “long walk” after receiving the result – “it was autumn, so not yet in the snow” – in order to think about his future. “I seriously asked myself: Is it the right thing for my party for me to stay in office? “, he agreed.
“GND” would have liked to be more transparent with solidarity activists after the election. ” I’ve been disappointed. I was sad. And I think I haven’t told you that enough,” he argued. If he ultimately chose to stay, it is because he still believes in the “project” of his political party.
“I believed that by being spokesperson for Québec solidaire, I could participate in our party taking a further step, seizing an opportunity, so that we could benefit together from an open political window,” he said. -he argued in front of the activists. If I am here before you today, it is because I am filled with a certainty: this window has not closed. »
Mr. Nadeau-Dubois will therefore be the only candidate for the position of male co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire this weekend. As party delegates have the right to vote for the chair, the ballot has all the makings of a vote of confidence. “If I am before you today, it is because I believe, in my heart, that we have this responsibility: we must, we can become this alternative” to the government, he said.
Delegates will have until Sunday to cast their vote for the two QS spokesperson positions. Three candidates presented themselves to succeed Manon Massé as female spokesperson for the left party.
Beyond the vote, solidarity members also express their views on a series of economic measures. The party also adopted proposals on Saturday to increase the minimum wage to $20 per hour in 2024 and to eliminate the QST on used products.
Further details will follow.