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Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – Bloc Québécois Member of Parliament (MP) for Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia, Kristina Michaud, will leave her position with a sense of accomplishment. 

The elected official and her team have begun the process of closing their riding offices as a federal election seems imminent. 

“It’s going well because I know it’s not an end in itself. I’m sure I’ll continue to be politically active. I’ll follow the election campaign,” says Ms. Michaud, who is preparing to welcome her first child in the coming weeks. She had previously announced her decision to step away from politics to fully embrace this new chapter of motherhood. 

While she intends to remain connected to political life, Ms. Michaud is undecided about a future return to elected office. “That’s a good question. I don’t think I can say for sure at this point. I know I’m going to enjoy spending time with my little one. Will I love it so much that I’ll want to put politics aside for good? Or will I want to get back into it quickly because I’m going to find the time long, being used to a fast-paced life? I was elected at 26, I’m 32 today. If I want to go back to politics one day, I know it’s possible because I’m at the beginning of my career,” says Ms. Michaud, who hasn’t considered a transitional career. 

Ms. Michaud was first elected in 2019 and defeated Liberal MP Rémi Massé. She assures that the current files will be passed on to her successors, as her riding is disappearing and will be divided into the new ridings of Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj and Rimouski-La Matapédia. 

“No matter who is there, for me, it’s important to have a smooth transition. I didn’t have that opportunity in 2019. Everything was torn up when I arrived in the office, and I didn’t have a meeting with the outgoing MP to discuss the files. I find that disappointing because it’s the population who loses out,” says Ms. Michaud. 

In her riding, the outgoing MP says she is satisfied to have contributed to millions of dollars in investments. 

She doesn’t want to name a specific file, but notes one important element. 

“It’s hard to choose, but the thing that makes me most proud is the number of people we’ve been able to help on a daily basis.” “We’ve helped nearly 2,000 people in the riding on various federal issues,” comments the elected official. 

Kristina Michaud was also presented as a rising star in Parliament in Ottawa and was highly regarded by her leader, Yves-François Blanchet, who entrusted her with important missions, including that of public safety critic. 

“I also created my own opportunities a little. I was immediately given a great position, which I seized without hesitation. I found myself the first woman vice-chair of the National Public Safety Committee in Parliament. I was surrounded by experienced men who dealt with thorny issues like firearms. I can say that I contributed to improving public safety,” says Ms. Michaud. 

The environment remains close to her heart and she is concerned about the current situation where the United States is defunding green investments. 

What’s happening in both Canada and the United States concerns her. “Priorities always take precedence. The climate crisis is here, omnipresent, but we feel like we don’t have to talk about it all the time. It’s a shame to see Mr. Carney backtrack on carbon pricing or support long-shelved projects. I’ll be following this closely, and so will the Bloc Québécois MPs. We can’t afford to put the climate crisis aside,” notes the elected official. 

“In Chaleur Bay, we’re starting to feel the effects. We’re no longer even talking about fighting climate change, but about mitigating its effects. We’ll need people there to remind Mr. Carney or his successor how important this is and to take action,” she adds.