The leader of the Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet, intends to support the Parti Québécois during the by-election in Marie-Victorin rather than a former candidate who now wears the colors of Québec solidaire, claiming that he does not believe that this party is pro-independence.
“At the first opportunity, I will be on the road and I will participate to contribute, if I can, to electing a maximum of deputies from the Parti québécois, including in Marie-Victorin”, confirmed Yves-François Blanchet, Monday, during a press briefing in Ottawa.
Although Bloc Québécois activists are free to contribute to the party of their choice in the National Assembly, the leader intends to “unequivocally” support Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s Parti Québécois until the October general election.
The Bloc Québécois candidate in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie in the last federal election, Shophika Vaithyanathasarma, announced in January that she was joining the ranks of Québec solidaire to represent this party in the by-election of Marie-Victorin, in Longueuil. She will notably face Pierre Nantel, candidate of the Parti Québécois who also has experience in federal politics, having for his part sat as an elected official of the New Democratic Party (NDP).
As its former leader, Yves-Francois Blanchet says he “greatly appreciates” Ms. Vaithyanathasarma, and would accept her returning to run for the Bloc again in the future.
“I have said it many times: there are separatists at Québec solidaire. Now I do not believe that Québec solidaire is an independentist party, ”insisted Mr. Blanchet.
The Bloc Québécois and the Parti Québécois have been allies for a long time and even have “a certain historical paternity,” he says.
The date of the by-election in Marie-Victorin is not yet known, and must be established by Premier François Legault. According to electoral law, a by-election must be called within six months of the resignation of a deputy. The one who represented this provincial riding, Catherine Fournier, left her seat when she became mayor of Longueuil last November.