Alain Rayes abandons his role as political lieutenant for Quebec

Conservative MP Luc Berthold will replace his colleague Alain Rayes as Quebec lieutenant, because of the latter’s intention to devote his energies to supporting a candidate for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Quebec.

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Mr. Berthold, who represents the riding of Mégantic-L’Érable, will also retain his role as minister responsible for health in the shadow cabinet of the Conservative Party.

“I am delighted that Luc has agreed to serve as Deputy Chief alongside me. Luc is a respected person in the caucus and he will be a strong and principled voice for Quebec and for our country,” commented the interim leader of the Conservative Party, Candice Bergen, in a press release announcing the change on Sunday. morning.

A few minutes earlier, Mr. Rayes had announced that he was stepping down from his roles as Quebec lieutenant and responsible for official languages ​​in the shadow cabinet. The latter had just regained his role as lieutenant last November, following the disappointing election results for the Conservatives in September.

“The next leadership race will be decisive for the Conservative Party of Canada. I want to play an important role by supporting a candidate. I therefore have no other choice than to leave my current position, ”explained the principal concerned by press release.

Mr. Rayes did not indicate who he intends to support in the race to succeed Erin O’Toole, but this candidate will have to present “ideals and values ​​that are progressive, center-right economic”, he said. suggests.

“Our party is, I am convinced, the best vehicle to serve Canadians and Quebecers at the head of the government,” added the Member for Richmond-Arthabaska, adding that, in his opinion, the main objective of the Conservatives remains to dislodge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, at the head of a Liberal government – ​​majority or minority – since 2015.

To date, only Ontario MP Pierre Poilièvre has officially entered the race on Saturday.

Erin O’Toole was kicked out of the CCP leadership by his own lawmakers, who voted to replace him last Wednesday.

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