Resignation of Éric Lefebvre | “Shaken” Caquists, other feared departures

(Quebec) CAQ MPs are “surprised” and shaken” by the decision of their colleague and whip Éric Lefebvre to “leave the boat” to wear the colors of the Conservative Party of Canada. Other departures are feared, while Finance Minister Eric Girard refused to rule out becoming a candidate for Pierre Poilièvre.

The big financier of the Legault government nevertheless said he was “very happy” with his responsibilities in Quebec.

The question was asked several times on Wednesday morning, the day after Mr. Lefebvre’s departure. But he did not want to say that he is ruling out making the jump to the Conservatives at the federal level – he was already a candidate in 2015.

Why are you not able to say: I will not run for the Conservative Party of Canada? he was asked.

“Why can’t I say that? Because I don’t have to answer that question. I have responsibilities, I am here, I am happy with my responsibilities,” he replied.

“I am telling you by name that I am very happy with my current responsibilities, that I have many challenges and that we want to create a modern Quebec, an economic superpower and that I am excited by these challenges. »

In December, Eric Girard wanted to dispel the rumors by declaring that he had no affinities with the Conservative Party of Pierre Poilièvre. He did not repeat such remarks when asked about the subject. He simply responded that he “met for the first time” Mr. Poilievre at the funeral of former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. “I shook his hand, and the context was to talk about Mr. Mulroney. »

“I’m just going to be clear. I have important responsibilities. I am Minister of Finance. These are the responsibilities I always wanted. We have big ambitions for Quebec. I am very happy with my responsibilities,” he also declared.

The MP for Vanier-Les Rivières in Quebec, Mario Asselin, responded in the affirmative when asked if other colleagues could leave the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) like Éric Lefebvre.

“I received the news with surprise. At 7:28 a.m. (Tuesday evening) when Eric wrote to us, like everyone else, I was a little shaken. (…) Éric was still the whip”, therefore the prefect of discipline of the caucus. “That he was one of the first to leave the boat is surprising. »

Minister Pascale Déry and former PCC candidate wishes “good luck” to Éric Lefebvre, but she added that for her part, her “heart is here at the CAQ”. “With my PM, my party, my colleagues,” she said.

Minister Lafrenière testified that Mr. Lefebvre’s decision “surprised us” at the CAQ. Others pointed out that it was known that their colleague had ties to the PCC having already worn its colors in Richmond-Arthabaska in 2008.

“I think it says nothing more than what it says: Mr. Lefebvre wanted to seize this opportunity and I respect that,” commented his colleague from the Council of Ministers, Mathieu Lacombe.

“I respect his decision. We will continue, don’t be worried,” said Andrée Laforest.

The president of the caucus Mario Laframboise, a former Bloc member, declared in substance that the team remains united and looks forward.

The Minister of International Relations Martine Biron believes that her ex-colleague, who will now sit as an independent deputy, must explain himself. “Is he here today?” I can’t wait to hear it. He was elected with a resounding majority, so his citizens were counting on him,” she stressed. Given his “still important functions within the government”, Mr.^me Biron is “really curious to hear the reasons behind her decision.”

Better in Ottawa?

PQ MP Pascal Bérubé has the same question: he wondered why “a MP who sits on the Council of Ministers, who knows what is happening and what is coming, still decides to leave”. “The whips always sit on the Council of Ministers, so they are aware of the smallest secrets and major upcoming issues of the State. And he knows all that, but he leaves the same. So what’s the best thing about Ottawa, further from Victoriaville than Quebec is? “, he added.

Mr. Bérubé believes “that there are perhaps others (Caquistes) who want to go to Ottawa, there, with the Conservatives and then who have submitted their CVs”. He also feels uncomfortable seeing Mr. Lefebvre campaigning while he is an independent MP. “We are deputies 24 hours a day, wherever we go, we carry the title of deputy of the National Assembly. It’s prestigious, being a deputy, then it’s demanding, then it’s a responsibility that we take seriously. So, there is also the idea of ​​devoting oneself completely to it, that is an important question,” he said.

Quebec Solidaire MP Vincent Marissal even believes he should resign. “Citizens must have representatives who are dedicated and dedicated to what they do. (…) You cannot be a deputy on just one leg, you have to have both legs on the ground,” he added. “You want to run in Ottawa with the Conservatives, well, go run in Ottawa with the Conservatives,” he said. He also noted that Mr. Lefebvre, to justify the salary increase of the elected representatives of the National Assembly, had pleaded their very busy schedule, he barely had time to see his family and friends. “I don’t know if he will be able to see his mother more while sitting in Ottawa, assuming he is elected. In any case, if he is elected, he will earn a lot more money in Ottawa, because federal deputies earn a lot, a lot of money, I think they are even the second highest paid in the world. “after a study that I saw recently,” said solidarity MP Vincent Marissal.