Ruba Ghazal launches: if she obtains the position of co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire (QS) in November, she will place independence, language and culture at the heart of her political action.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, the candidate to replace Manon Massé said she had thought carefully about what she could offer to activists to advance her party.
She comes to the conclusion that QS needs to talk “even more” about independence, a subject that is not a preserve of the Parti Québécois, according to her, but an integral part of the solidarity project.
By the way, M.me Ghazal intends to make independence and the protection of the French language his calling card in the region. “It’s not heard enough and I want to make it a priority,” she says.
At 45, the MNA for Mercier, because she is the daughter of Palestinian refugees, says she understands deep down the need for Quebecers to make Quebec a country.
“I feel it in my gut, Quebeckers who are worried about their future, I share it deeply and I want us to talk about it in the way of Québec solidaire even more,” she says.
“I know that, through this discourse on independence, culture and language, we can reach Quebecers from all over Quebec. […] Me, if I am a spokesperson, it will be a priority issue, ”she continued.
Every opportunity will be good to recall the position of QS: to form, once in government, a constituent assembly which would draft the constitution of an independent Quebec and submit it to a referendum.
A “democratic” position, she says, which may even appeal to those for whom it is not their “cup of tea”.
Moreover, the candidate, the daughter of immigrants, believes she perfectly embodies the “balance” between the protection of French and Quebec culture, and the defense of the rights of cultural minorities.
Remember, however, that she played an important role in the solidarity vote in favor of the CAQ reform of Law 101, a reform that created discontent within the militant base of QS.
The party had to promise that once in power, it would in particular drop the articles that oblige newcomers to communicate in French with the State after six months.
“Real” healthy race
First to announce her intentions — Sherbrooke MNA Christine Labrie is considering — Ruba Ghazal does not believe that representing a Montreal riding will harm her.
On the contrary, it is a “pride” to have been elected in 2018, then re-elected in 2022 in Mercier, she says, a county “historic in Quebec solidaire”, because won and protected for 10 years by Amir Khadir.
And in any case, we cannot “think that just by putting someone on top who comes from a region, that necessarily Québec solidaire, we will break through in the regions”.
The former MP for Rouyn-Noranda — Témiscamingue, Émilise Lessard-Therrien, is also a candidate in the race for the position of female spokesperson for QS.
“It doesn’t have to be a communications thing, but […] a profound change in our party”, according to Mme Ghazal, who claims to travel “a lot” in the region and to have worked on proposals.
Last February, QS promised to “demonstrate”, having lost feathers in 45 rural or suburban ridings during the last election campaign.
Co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois had also hinted that QS would review some of its proposals, such as imposing a tax on polluting vehicles.
QS also proposed taxing “wealth” above $1 million.
It’s about not repeating “mistakes”, agrees in an interview Mme Ghazal.
“People felt like we wanted to attack what they own and all that. That wasn’t the intention.
“There have been mistakes that have been made, and it is certain that in order not to reproduce them, […] I also have a responsibility if I become a spokesperson. […] Changing our proposals without changing our values,” she summarizes.
One thing is certain, the fight with several aspirants will be beneficial for the party, because it will make it possible to “brew ideas”, believes Mme Ghazal, who is not waiting for the official start of the race at the end of August to start.
The campaign will officially last 13 weeks. Candidates must collect 500 signatures from members in good standing from six regions and 20 different constituencies. Discussions are planned during this period.
The congress that will elect QS spokespersons will take place from November 24 to 26. It is during this weekend that Manon Massé will step down as co-spokesperson. It is expected that Mr. Nadeau-Dubois will remain in office.
Founding member
A founding member of QS in 2006 (“My party, I have it tattooed on my heart”), Ruba Ghazal says she comes from the same school as Françoise David and Manon Massé.
She believes that she will be “complementary” to Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, whom she describes as “intellectual, rigorous”.
Of Palestinian origin, born in Lebanon, Mr.me Ghazal, a child of Bill 101, did her bachelor’s degree in business administration and her master’s degree in environment.
Before becoming an MP, she worked for OI Canada Corp., Church&Dwight Canada Corp., L-3 Communications and Bombardier Aerospace, among others.