Controversial Lachine councillor drops out of race after switching loyalties to Coderre
After welcoming a controversial candidate into his fold this summer, mayoral candidate Denis Coderre announced Wednesday that she's quitting the race for what she described as personal and family reasons.
Julie-Pascale Provost, who was running for mayor of Lachine, was first elected in 2017 in the borough as a Projet Montreal councillor, alongside current mayor Valérie Plante.
But last October, she was kicked out of Projet Montreal after months of bad feelings and open accusations by Provost against her party, especially through YouTube videos she posted attacking her own party's proposed Lachine marina project.
At the time, however, a Projet Montreal spokesperson described her as simply difficult to work with, saying that since the 2017 election, Provost had had “weekly frictions” with fellow councillors as well as elected Lachine officials, volunteers and at city hall.
However, Coderre welcomed her as a member of Ensemble Montreal in June and helped kick off her campaign for borough mayor.
On Wednesday, Provost wrote on Facebook at around 4 p.m. that she withdrew her candidacy.
"It's a carefully considered decision, even if it's heavy to bear," she wrote, in French. "It's necessary for personal and family reasons."
Provost is a mother of four, according to her online biography.
Coderre wrote in a release shortly afterwards that he "acknowledged" her departure. She'll stay in her seat until the election, he said.
“I know how personally demanding politics can be and I fully respect her decision. I wish her the best of luck," Coderre was quoted as saying.
He said the party will put forward a new candidate in the mayoral slot: Josée Côté.
Provost urged voters to continue to support Coderre's party.
"I'm sure Team Ensemble Montréal will ensure sound management in accordance with the interests established by the Lachinois," she wrote.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.