Paul St. Pierre-Plamondon

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

In a rare show of unity in the National Assembly, all party leaders and members – called to action by Parti Québecois leader Paul St. Pierre-Plamondon – voiced support for Liberal MNA Marwah Rizqy. In the wake of the École Bedford scandal, Rizqy has received threatening and harassing messages, and has asked for police protection for her family.

Last week when news about École Bedford came to a head in the National Assembly, Parti Québécois leader Paul St. Pierre-Plamondon held a news conference in which he said the story came to the fore thanks to a Cogeco journalist, “and to the work of an MNA named Marwah Rizqy.” He denounced the harassing and intimidating messages that Rizqy was subject to in the wake of her comments on the issue. “The statements made by a religious leader were degrading and threatening to a member of the National Assembly,” St. Pierre-Plamondon said. He called the other leaders and members of the National Assembly to show support for Rizqy. One particularly galling comment came from controversial Imam Adil Charkaoui – likely the religious leader St. Pierre-Plamondon referred to – who called Rizqy a “Marocaine de service.” The expression was translated in the English media as “token Moroccan,” but it’s nastier in French. Rizqy’s parents are of Moroccan origin.

As the Opposition critic for education, Rizqy took a strong stance in the matter, saying Isabelle Gélinas, the Director-General of the CSSDM, should have done more, and done it sooner. Rizqy was partly responsible for the government report into the 11 teachers who were ultimately suspended pending further investigation. The St. Laurent MNA accused Gélinas of willful blindness, and called for her to step down.

St. Pierre-Plamondon posted his support for Rizqy on X. Rizqy also posted, saying she’d received a call from an unknown number. It turned out to be St. Pierre-Plamondon. “He wanted to know how Greg (Kelley) and I were doing. He offered us his moral support, and offered to walk with me so that I won’t be alone.”

Rizqy added her thanks, as well, to François Legault’s cabinet, saying “last night I received a message of support. On behalf of my family, thank you.”

The St. Laurent MNA announced earlier this year that she would not be seeking reelection. Rizqy is a strong political critic who had been considered a contender for the future leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party. But she announced earlier this month that she is choosing family life over political life. “This mandate will be my last,” she posted on X on October 1. “Of course I will be giving 100% to the best of my abilities.”

Speaking at a news conference last Tuesday, Rizqy admitted she feared for her and her family’s safety, including her husband, MNA Greg Kelley, their two children, and Rizqy’s mother, and has asked for police protection. However, she has not shied away from continuing this fight, tweeting about other public schools with issues similar to École Bedford, and calling on the education minister to put a stop to it.