PQ leader Lisée says challenger Marissal has ‘failed the truth test’

Parti Québécois leader Jean-François Lisée says journalist-turnedQuébec Solidaire candidate Vincent Marissal has “spectacularly failed the truth test” with his entry into politics.

In an open letter obtained by the Presse Canadienne and later posted on his Facebook page, Lisée focuses on what he describes as the inconsistencies, contradictions and even lies that surfaced in the hours after the former La Presse columnist announced he would be challenging the PQ leader in Lisée’s riding of Rosemont.

“On the first day of his political life, Vincent Marissal spectacularly failed this test of truth,” wrote Lisée. “Depicting himself as ... ‘having deep sovereignist convictions,’ he lied to journalists curious to know why, in that case, he repeatedly tried to work with Justin Trudeau.”

Several media outlets confirmed that Marissal had been in contact numerous times with the Liberal Party of Canada, either to become a candidate or an adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. While Marissal initially denied having weighed his political options, he later admitted having negotiated with the Liberals.

Lisée wrote that Quebecers admired authenticity in their politicians even if they didn’t share their political views, and that Marissal had failed to prove himself sincere, authentic or worthy of trust.

The PQ leader noted that the federal Liberals and Québec Solidaire shared no common ground, the former espousing an orthodox federalism while the latter was a sovereignist party. “Mr. Marissal lied because he felt this truth wouldn’t be good to say,” wrote Lisée.

“One cannot be a sincere sovereignist and want to associate with the anti-sovereignist-in-chief in Ottawa. One cannot be a sincere sovereignist and tell the CBC in 2016 that ‘sovereignty is dépassé.’ ... Either sovereignty is possible or it’s dépassé.”

Lisée also noted that given the fundamental political differences between the federal Liberals and Québec Solidaire, he could only conclude that Marissal had no convictions.

The fight for Rosemont will be rough and Lisée’s letter is just the opening salvo in the battle. The riding neighbours Mercier, Gouin and Sainte-Marie-Saint-Jacques, three Montreal ridings won from the PQ by Québec Solidaire.

Lisée won Rosemont in the 2014 election by a 1,600-vote margin over his Liberal opponent, and the possibility of a split vote could favour the Liberal candidate in the coming October election.