The new Quebec MNA for Marie-Victorin, Shirley Dorismond, was sworn in at the National Assembly on Tuesday in the presence of Premier Francois Legault.
Dorismond won the April 11 by-election to replace independent MNA Catherine Fournier, who became mayor of Longueuil.
The CAQ candidate won 35 per cent of the votes besting PQ candidate Pierre Nantel who came second with 30 per cent of the vote.
During the swearing-in ceremony, which was held in the chic Salon de la presidence, Dorismond expressed her excitement and thanked her family, as well as the voters of Marie-Victorin.
“There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you,” she said. “Thank you sincerely, and I know that I take nothing for granted. I will always be accessible, listen, and I will work tirelessly to help you.”
The premier praised his new MNA’s energy, warning her nonetheless that politics can be “tough.”
“It’s important to have a kind of safety net with your family, who comes to comfort you and tell you that there will be better days,” Legault said.
He also took the opportunity to tout Dorismond’s 20 years of experience as a nurse and said he has a special role for her.
“Shirley will be able to help Health Minister Christian Dubé to improve, among other things, the working conditions of nurses, because, despite the shortage of manpower, there are things that can be done.”
The CAQ’s 76th MP will only participate in six weeks of parliamentary work; the session ends on June 10.
At the end of the summer, the election campaign will be triggered for the October 3 general election.
— This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 26, 2022.