Record number of Indigenous candidates running in Quebec fall election
At least nine Indigenous candidates are running in Quebec's fall election, a new record in the province.
The Quebec Liberal Party of Quebec made an announcement Tuesday for its star candidate for the northern Quebec riding of Ungava, Tunu Napartuk.
Napartuk is the former mayor of Kuujjuaq, Que. and a passionate defender of the Inuit nation and other Indigenous communities in northern Quebec.
"When I was given the opportunity to represent my people, the Cree region, for the Parti Liberal du Quebec, it's been very exciting," he said Tuesday.
Napartuk says the ruling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) party didn't adequately respond to Indigenous needs, including worries regarding food deliveries and inflation. Napartuk will be facing CAQ incumbent Denis Lamothe.
But Quebec solidaire is also running a star candidate, Cree activist Maïtée Labrecque-Saganash, who sees more and more Indigenous people running for office.
"The stars are aligned this time, and I think I was in a good place mentally to at least tackle this system," Labrecque-Saganash said.
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois (left) and Manon Masse (right) welcome their new candidate for the fall election: Maitee Labrecque-Saganash, daughter of long-time NDP MP Romeo Saganash. SOURCE: QS
The CAQ has already recruited Kateri Champagne-Jourdain, from Uashat mak Mani-utenam, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
The CAQ and the Liberals were on the road Tuesday announcing other high-profile candidates for the upcoming election.
Céline Haytayan is a well-known figure in Montreal's economic development circles who is now leaving her top position at Ubisoft to possibly join the CAQ in the Laval-des-Rapides riding.
"The CAQ, la CAQ, is a business party. The economy is super important to the CAQ, it has always been since 2018. They need my help, but they have already a great team with Mr. Girard and Mr. Fitzgibbon," the candidate told a news conference
Haytayan, who is of Armenian heritage, has been known to work on attracting international business to Montreal and said she doesn't see a contradiction between her former job and the provincial government's position on the controversial Bill 96, which critics say would hinder efforts to attract international businesses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.