(Quebec) The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) is betting on a comedian to keep the riding of Laporte, on the South Shore of Montreal, in its fold during the October 3 election.
Posted at 10:54 a.m.
Former liberal fortress, Laporte could however, this time, switch to the camp of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) of François Legault, if we rely on various polls.
Mathieu Gratton will try to succeed Nicole Ménard in this riding, according to what The Canadian Press learned on Tuesday. The official announcement of his candidacy will be made on Wednesday. There will be no nomination in Laporte.
In his forties, Mathieu Gratton is a newcomer to politics. His ex-spouse, actress and television host Patricia Paquin, and he are the parents of a young autistic man, now in his twenties. Mr. Gratton got into politics in particular to defend the cause and the rights of people with autism.
In the past, he formed a comedy duo, Crampe en masse, with Ghislain Dufresne. In 2000, the Gala Les Olivier awarded him the Discovery of the Year prize.
In Laporte, a riding that includes part of Longueuil and Saint-Lambert, the popularity of the PLQ is on the decline. In 2014, Mr.me Ménard had collected a comfortable majority of 7,803 votes, capturing 47% of the vote, a majority that melted to 2,479 votes in 2018. The PLQ had received 35% of the vote, against 28% for the CAQ, during the last general election. According to the Qc125 electoral projection site, which compiles and analyzes the polls, Laporte could well wear the colors of the CAQ this fall.
The CAQ chose to present Isabelle Poulet, formerly municipal councilor in Sainte-Julie and member of the board of directors of Moisson Rive-Sud.
Former vice-president of the Bank of Montreal, Nicole Ménard was elected for the first time in 2007 and was re-elected without difficulty thereafter. She was Minister of Tourism in the Charest cabinet, chief whip and president of the caucus in the Couillard cabinet. The ex-minister chose not to seek a sixth term. She is one of 13 Liberal MPs who have decided not to pursue their political careers.