Quebec MP Alain Rayes, who had supported Jean Charest in the race for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada, slams the door of the party a few days after the victory of Pierre Poilievre.
Mr. Rayes announced Tuesday afternoon on social media that he was leaving the Conservative caucus to sit as an independent in the House of Commons.
The member for Richmond-Arthabaska said in a video that he no longer found himself in his own political formation.
“There are issues, there are values, convictions for me [sur lesquels] I cannot compromise,” he stressed.
Among these important issues for him, he cited law and order, environmental issues and respect between elected officials.
On Monday, Mr. Poilievre extended an olive branch to Quebec MPs and senators from his party during a surprise visit to the regional caucus. The new leader did not explain to the media the reasons for his surprise visit, but said in a speech that he was “very grateful” for the contributions of all members of the national caucus, regardless of the candidate they supported.
Earlier Tuesday, Mr. Poilievre announced that he was making MP Pierre Paul-Hus his lieutenant for Quebec, three days after his resounding election at the head of the party and a week before the return to parliament.
The member for Charlesbourg — Haute-Saint-Charles was the only Quebec elected official to side with Mr. Poilievre during the leadership race that ended this weekend. Most of the others were active in the camp of Jean Charest – who suffered a crushing defeat – or remained neutral.
Mr Poilievre revealed in a social media post on Tuesday the members of his “leadership inflation-fighting team”.
The only other Quebecer to be a member is the member for Mégantic—L’Érable, Luc Berthold, who is now the Deputy House Leader. Mr. Berthold had refused to take a position during the race. Until now he held the position of deputy leader and political lieutenant for Quebec.
Among other major appointments, Mr. Poilievre named two co-chiefs, Ontarian Melissa Lantsman and Albertan Tim Uppal. Former leader Andrew Scheer becomes Conservative House leader, and British Columbian Kerry-Lynne Findlay will serve as whip.