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
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.