Solidarity in Quebec | A final debate without flames for the candidates who want to succeed GND
(Quebec) Solidarity candidates in the race to succeed Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois took part in a final debate Friday evening during a party congress. The exchange, without any real confrontation, rather gave the activists a last chance to form an idea of the aspiring spokespersons.
MP Etienne Grandmont believes that Québec solidaire (QS) must take inspiration from Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York, who was elected this week with an assumed left-wing agenda.
“He spoke about what New Yorkers were concerned about. He talked to them about housing, transportation and food. […] He also did not hesitate to point out the 1% which is the minority which causes the problems in Quebec and New York; It’s the same gang,” he said.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESS
Etienne Grandmont
The former regional director of public health for Gaspésie, Yv Bonnier-Viger, believes that QS must reconnect with its activist base and be more on the ground.
“We have to be in contact with the population, and that can only be done through strong and powerful local associations. And that’s what we need to build at QS. We clearly need to have a close link with the population, with unions, with community organizations and with councilors in the municipalities,” he explained.
If he wins the race, Yv Bonnier-Viger does not plan to become an MP. He believes it is better for QS to have a full-time extra-parliamentary spokesperson.
When it comes to the environment, MP Sol Zanetti says there is “anxiety that inhibits action”.
“For the environment, we must be able to arouse hope and enthusiasm and for that, we must address people’s feelings. […] This is why I propose that QS form a permanent creative committee where we will consult rotating artists who will enlighten us and help us touch people’s hearts,” he argued.
Who are the three candidates?
Etienne Grandmont has been a member of Parliament for the Taschereau riding in Quebec since 2022.
He is the only one to have received support within the solidarity caucus. The deputies Christine Labrie, Manon Massé, Alexandre Leduc, Andrés Fontecilla and Vincent Marissal lined up behind him.
Before becoming an MP, he worked as general director at Accès transports viables. He defended the rights of users of public and active transportation, in addition to promoting land use planning that would help fight climate change.
Sol Zanetti has represented the riding of Jean-Lesage, also in Quebec, since 2018. He received the support of former solidarity MPs Émilise Lessard-Therrien and Catherine Dorion.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESS
Sol Zanetti
A fervent independence activist, Sol Zanetti is a former philosophy professor and union advisor. He was also a beneficiary attendant and mental health worker.
Yv Bonnier-Viger is the only unelected candidate in this race. He received the support of former spokesperson and solidarity MP Amir Khadir.
This specialist doctor is a former regional public health director for Gaspésie – Îles-de-la-Madeleine. He also owns a small market garden farm.
He tried unsuccessfully to get elected in the Gaspé constituency in 2022.
PHOTO MARIKA VACHON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Yv Bonnier-Viger
The winner of the race will be known on Saturday.
Challenges ahead
The last two years have been trying for QS, notably with the release of the punch book by former MP Catherine Dorion and the resignation of Émilise Lessard-Therrien just a few months after being elected party spokesperson.
Both women criticized the leadership of Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois. The latter announced his departure last March, claiming to have been “worn down” by the crises that shook his party.
QS was also shaken by the controversy triggered by the deputy in solidarity with Maurice-Richard, Haroun Bouazzi, who affirmed that he saw “every day” in the National Assembly “the construction of this Other” whose culture “would be dangerous or inferior”.
In addition, MPs Christine Labrie (Sherbrooke) and Manon Massé (Sainte-Marie–Saint-Jacques) announced that they would not run in the next elections.
The next solidarity spokesperson would have a lot to do between now and the next election. QS is at its lowest in voting intentions.
According to the poll aggregator Qc125, if elections took place today, the left party would only collect 7% of the votes and would only elect three deputies (there are currently 12 in the National Assembly).
“This is an extremely important moment for our party. […] It’s a pre-election year. We are lucid, I am lucid. I see the challenges ahead of us, but I also see the opportunities. We are the only choice for progressives,” said solidarity spokesperson Ruba Ghazal on Friday evening.
“I say it with conviction this evening: the difficult times are behind us and this congress is a new beginning for Québec solidaire,” she assured.
