Gaetan Barrette to stay in Liberal caucus despite demotion, won't pursue another term
Nearly a week after he was stripped of his parliamentary responsibilities, Quebec Liberal Party (QLP) MNA Gaétan Barrette intends to remain in the Liberal caucus until the end of the mandate -- but will not seek another term afterwards.
The news, which has yet to be formally announced, was obtained by The Canadian Press through a QLP source.
This means Barrette's political career will end in October 2022.
The MNA for La Pinière, Barrette lost his title as Treasury Council Critic and as critic for Intergovernmental Relations last Saturday after engaging in a Twitter squabble with Marie Montpetit, Liberal MNA for Maurice-Richard.
Montpetit, who was the QLP's Health Critic at the time, also had her responsibilities withdrawn.
Barette has been off the radar since QLP leader Dominique Anglade announced his demotion.
He has not been seen in Parliament, has not participated in the caucuses of his political party, and has refused all interview requests, The Canadian Press reports.
Fellow party members were filled with speculation as a result and wondered how Barrette would react to his demotion -- would he accept it willingly and stay in the party, or would he go rogue and sit as an independent?
Although the MNA is reportedly taking the former approach, he gave the alternative route some serious thought, according to The Canadian Press' sources.
Barette will be back in Parliament next week, will participate in future caucuses, and intends to participate in the late-November QLP convention, the sources say.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
In late October, Barrette took to Twitter to critize Louis Godin, president of the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec, for saying that the province's doctors are working at full capacity.
"Do not believe it!" Barrette wrote.
Montpetit condemned Barrette for the tone of his tweet, saying his comment was "as unproductive as the authoritarian attitude and threats of Francois Legault."
In response to the publicly-displayed argument, Anglade decided to strip the MNAs of their responsibilities.
Montpetit was punished even further after a psychological harassment complaint was filed against her.
Anglade did not take the allegations lightly, excluding Montpetit from the Liberal caucus altogether.
Turbulence within the party has long been an issue; the demotions of Barrette and Montpetit are just a recent example. This crisis was particularly ill-timed, however, as the Liberals are currently straggling far behind Legault in the polls.
-- With reporting from The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.