William Crooks
Kerwins Saint-Jean speaks at his official campaign launch in Lennoxville on June 16, backed by supporters from Sherbrooke Citoyen

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

At a midday press conference held in Lennoxville’s Square Queen on Monday, June 16, Sherbrooke Citoyen leader and mayoral candidate Raïs Kibonge officially introduced Kerwins Saint-Jean as the party’s candidate for the Lennoxville district in the upcoming municipal election set for November.

Saint-Jean, a long-time community advocate and organizer, announced his candidacy with visible emotion, pledging to bring his experience and deep connection to Lennoxville to municipal politics. “I’m ready to give back to Sherbrooke,” he told the crowd. “Lennoxville is a unique and vibrant part of Sherbrooke—bilingual, diverse, and closely knit. I want to help it thrive with listening, respect, and determination.”

Saint-Jean emphasized three priorities in his campaign: supporting the local business sector, protecting the Ascot-Lennox woodland, and improving public transit. He spoke of strengthening the commercial corridor along Queen Street, where he hopes to “support current storeowners and encourage the development of new ventures.” He also called for increased bus service on evenings and weekends and expressed support for a universal transit pass for Bishop’s and Champlain students.

The former Cougars football player and Champlain College alumnus noted how Lennoxville shaped his early life. “It’s where I experienced my first real challenges, my first real victories,” he said. “It’s the view, the spirit, the people—it’s my home.”

Following his remarks, Saint-Jean responded to reporters’ questions, explaining that he chose to run with Sherbrooke Citoyen because of the party’s alignment with his values. “Inclusion and the environment—it’s really the reason why I love Sherbrooke and don’t want to leave,” he said. “This is the right move.”

When asked about the importance of bilingual status in Lennoxville, Kibonge stepped in to reaffirm the party’s commitment. “Lennoxville is a particularly special place that needs that, deserves that,” he said. “People here need to make sure that they can understand what’s going on… Rest assured, that’s definitely one of our priorities.” Kibonge added that the party supported retaining Lennoxville’s bilingual designation in 2023 and would continue to uphold that position. “For us, diversity is not just something to talk about—it’s something to live.”

Kibonge praised Saint-Jean’s record of engagement and leadership. “Kerwins embodies the kind of leadership Sherbrooke needs: proactive, innovative, and unifying,” he said. “His achievements show a real commitment to inclusion, youth, and community development.”

A related press release adds that Saint-Jean first gained broad recognition in 2020 when he co-organized the Black Lives Matter demonstration in Sherbrooke, which drew over 3,000 people. In 2024, he co-led the Grand Innovation Lab, an entrepreneurial forum bringing together young Black leaders from across Quebec. He currently works as a project coordinator at the Socio-Economic Summit for the Development of Black Youth.

His community work has included involvement with Actions Interculturelles, the Fédération des communautés culturelles de l’Estrie, Black Estrie, and the Haitian Community of the Eastern Townships, where he served as president. He was awarded the Youth Recognition–Nelson Mandela and the King Charles III Coronation Medal, presented by then-Revenue Minister Élisabeth Brière.

Asked what has most prepared him to enter municipal politics, Saint-Jean pointed to his grassroots experience. “Community, pure and simple,” he said. “I’ve worked with people from many backgrounds with a common mission—helping one’s neighbour. Politics is really the place to do that in a local, tangible way.”

He concluded the event by thanking his new political team and promising a campaign rooted in dialogue and action. “I promise you an attentive ear, a constant presence, and sincere energy put to the service of what we are building together,” he said.