MPs Hélène David, Nicole Ménard and Jean Rousselle announced on Saturday that they will not seek a new mandate during the next general elections in October.
They join the list of their Liberal colleagues who have already indicated that they will not run again, including Christine St-Pierre and Monique Sauvé. The leader of the party, Dominique Anglade, hailed the “great contributions to the Liberal Party of Quebec, as well as to Quebec society” of the three elected officials, in a press release published on Saturday.
“After two terms and more than eight years of active political commitment to give a strong voice to the citizens of Outremont, then Marguerite-Bourgeoys, I leave with the feeling of accomplishment,” said Hélène David.
Elected for the first time in 2014 in Outremont, before seeking a new mandate in 2018 in Marguerite-Bourgeoys, in Montreal, Ms. David was notably Minister for the Protection and Promotion of the French language, Minister for Culture and Communications, Minister of Higher Education and Minister responsible for the Status of Women.
“Hélène has always seen big for Quebec and her love of Quebec culture, her commitment to the French language as well as her modern and feminist vision of our collective future will have strongly marked her time in politics. Her dedication to the cause of women and to the fight against poverty was a real source of inspiration,” said Ms. Anglade.
The member for Laporte, Nicole Ménard, will leave politics after five terms in her riding of Montérégie.
“Throughout my political career, I have devoted myself entirely to improving the quality of life of the citizens of Laporte and by comparing my riding today versus what it was when I arrived in 2007, I leave with the feeling of duty accomplished, “said the one who was notably Minister of Tourism.
The leader of the party highlighted her 15 years of “participation in the economic and social development of Quebec”.
Jean Rousselle was MP for Vimont, in Laval, for 10 years.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce to you that following a long reflection, I will be leaving politics at the end of my term as Liberal MNA for the riding of Vimont. After ten years of active politics, it is time for me to prioritize my loved ones: my wife, my son and my grandchildren,” he said.
Mr. Rousselle also thanked the citizens of Vimont, who notably laid the foundations for the project to extend Highway 19 to Bois-des-Filion.
On Monday, Mr. Rousselle had indicated that he had been attacked. “I was the victim of a gratuitous attack by two young men, I am doing well despite the blows to the face I suffered,” he wrote on Twitter.
The Liberal Party of Quebec currently has 27 MNAs and forms the Official Opposition in the National Assembly.