Liberal MNA Emmanuel Dubourg is ditching provincial politics to hopefully join Justin Trudeau’s Liberals in Ottawa, but his leader Philippe Couillard won't be making a run at his colleague's vacated seat.
Dubourg announced Friday that he will give up his seat immediately to concentrate on winning the federal Viau nomination and seat, most recently held by current Montreal mayoral candidate Denis Coderre.
The move opens the door to provincial leader Philippe Couillard to snap up the open spot to re-enter the assembly, but apparently that’s not going to happen.
Couillard has stated that he prefers to run in a riding closer to the Saguenay area where he lives.
Some expressed disappointment that Couillard’s participation in many upcoming important debates apparently won’t be done from within the assembly.
“I think he should get in the game because it’s time for him to be in the National Assembly to mix it up with the opposition,” said former Equality Party MNA Robert Libman.
“There are big debates coming up this fall, Bill 14 and many other issues. I think he should be in the heart of the action in the National Assembly. He’s making a mistake,” he said.
Libman pointed out that Couillard would be free to switch to Roberval in the next general election, but a couple of Liberal MNAs defended their leader’s decision.
“I don't think that anyone should come into a riding on a temporary basis,” said Liberal MNA for Jeanne-Mance-Viger, Filomena Rotiroti
“It has got to be Mr. Couillard himself who makes the decision as to where he wants to run and which citizens he wants to convince to elect him to the National Assembly,” said Gerry Sklavounos Liberal MNA for Laurier-Dorion.
Couillard, who was elected Liberal leader in March, has said he will announce where he will run for a seat in the legislature by the end of the month.
Dubourg a Trudeau fan
Dubourg told a news conference Friday he is quitting his national assembly seat immediately to devote his time to getting the federal nomination.
He said he discussed his candidacy with federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, who he described as a friend, but received no promises.
"I expressed my interest and he told me 'there are other candidates, other people are interested so, Emmanuel, it's your decision,"' Dubourg said.
"As in everything, there's a risk. If I don't win the nomination, I don't have a job," he added with a smile.
-With a file from The Canadian Press
