gasp peninsula

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GRANDE-RIVIÈRE – Despite already confirming her candidacy on March 13, following her exclusion from Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney’s cabinet, Diane Lebouthillier reiterated on March 17 that she will be running in the next election under the Liberal banner in a virtual press briefing. 

Bloc Québécois candidate Alexis Deschênes was quick to respond. 

“I know that since last week’s announcement, many have been speculating about my political future. I’m not going anywhere.” “I remain the Member of Parliament (MP) for Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, and I am more motivated than ever to seek the confidence of the people of Gaspésie and the Magdalen Islands for the fourth time in the next federal election,” says Ms. Lebouthillier, who wants to continue fighting for her people and has been questioned several times since March 13 by voters. 

She wanted to reassure her constituents, who have repeatedly asked her about her political future.  “I intend to put all my expertise, my knowledge of government mechanisms, and my network of contacts in the Cabinet to work because a Liberal member of Parliament in government will always be 100 times more effective than a Bloc Québécois member condemned to opposition,” she asserts. 

Ms. Lebouthillier points out that she has spoken to nearly a dozen ministers since March 13. “In all the election campaigns I’ve run, I’ve never negotiated a seat on the cabinet. It’s never been part of my way of working. It’s the Prime Minister’s prerogative to choose who will sit at the table,” says Ms. Lebouthillier who didn’t see Mark Carney’s gesture as a disavowal. 

She’s going against all odds, regardless of the polls.  “In 2015, we were the third horse. No one thought we could win the 2015 campaign, and we did. I’m not running because we’re sure or not sure we’ll win. I’m running because it’s important for the riding to have an elected official who will be part of a government that can and will be in power. A government that will make decisions,” analyzes the outgoing MP. 

But Bloc Québécois candidate Alexis Deschênes has a completely different view. “This shows that Ms. Lebouthillier is a little confused and quite bothered because her main argument was to say, ‘Vote for me and I’ll be a strong voice in government.’ However, she has been excluded from the Cabinet. Mr. Carney has withdrawn his confidence in her,” comments Mr. Deschênes. 

The Bloc member even challenges her.  “She tells us she’s motivated? We’re going to test her motivation. I invite her to debate in all the riding’s MRCs during the election campaign, and we’ll see who has the best plan to defend the region at this important moment in our history,” he maintains.