PQ expels a member from its political commission
The Parti Québécois (PQ) expelled a member of its political commission on Friday.
The PQ accused Vincent Boulay of breaching his duties of loyalty, solidarity, and confidentiality under the party’s internal policies and code of ethics.
An ad hoc evaluation committee examined this conflict, and it was the National Executive Council that issued the sanction, which was made public on Friday, citing "multiple violations."
Internal sources suggest there had been tensions for some time.
Boulay remains a PQ member but will be barred from holding any elected position within the party for the next two years.
In an interview with The Canadian Press on Friday, Boulay denied violating the code of ethics.
"I see this as a direct attack on the right to dissent," he said, interpreting it as a sign of authoritarianism from PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
The conflict allegedly stemmed from an open letter Boulay published on Oct. 24 in the Journal de Montréal, addressing the investigation into the alleged religious infiltration of Bedford public school in Montreal.
"Religious Entrism"
Boulay stated that this situation should not be seen as “Islamization of public schools” or “religious entrism,” while his leader, St-Pierre Plamondon, had referred to “religious entrism” regarding this controversy.
"I have never opposed the official positions of the party. I’m asking for proof of that," said Boulay, who contributed to the PQ's independence project.
"None of my writings attack or contradict the party's positions," he added.
He admitted that his Oct. 24 letter was “closer to the line” but insisted that, at the time, “there was no official party commission stance on religious entrism”—only the leader’s social media posts on X (formerly Twitter).
Boulay was also allegedly criticized for sharing confidential information with the media, which he once again denied on Friday, suspecting someone within the national executive.
"There doesn’t seem to be tolerance for dissent within the Parti Québécois, particularly at the national executive level, and especially from the leader," he concluded.
He perceived this as a "major leadership failure by the national executive" and "a profound lack of respect for party members."
Boulay had served on the political commission for 18 months and had been "an extremely active supporter" for over six years.
He hinted that he would remain a member of the party due to his support for sovereignty but would not attend the National Council on Nov. 17 in Victoriaville due to a prior commitment.
This week, St-Pierre Plamondon distanced himself from the controversy. He reminded the public that an internal committee handles such issues and that these rules were in place before he became leader of the PQ.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 8, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Calls for Ottawa to end Canada Post strike mount as businesses face challenges
As the Canada Post strike nears its three-week mark, stores across the country have turned to alternate measures to send products to paying customers and keep operations running smoothly.
Trump making 'joke' about Canada becoming 51st state is 'reassuring': Ambassador Hillman
Canada's ambassador to the U.S. insists it's a good sign U.S. president-elect Donald Trump feels 'comfortable' joking with Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mexico president says Canada has a 'very serious' fentanyl problem
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada's culture and its framing of border issues.
Search extends into the night for Pennsylvania woman who may have fallen into sinkhole
A grandmother looking for her lost cat apparently fell into a sinkhole that had recently opened above an abandoned western Pennsylvania coal mine and rescuers worked late into the night Tuesday to try and find her.
From niche grocer to supermarket giant: How T&T plans to repeat success in the U.S.
Canada's biggest Asian grocery chain is expanding into the U.S., hoping to bring its patented array of food, skin care and more to a new market.
South Korea's opposition parties submit a motion to impeach President Yoon over sudden martial law
South Korea's opposition parties Wednesday submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over the shocking and short-lived martial law that drew heavily armed troops to encircle parliament before lawmakers climbed walls to re-enter the building and unanimously voted to lift his order.
Freeland says it was 'right choice' for her not to attend Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says it was 'the right choice' for her not to attend the surprise dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Friday night.
A list of mispronounced words provides a retrospective of 2024, from Kamala to Chappell
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and breakout pop star Chappell Roan were among the year's most talked-about people. Their names were also among the most mispronounced.
Quebec doctors who refuse to stay in public system for 5 years face $200K fine per day
Quebec's health minister has tabled a bill that would force new doctors trained in the province to spend the first five years of their careers working in Quebec's public health network.