Election campaign taking shape
At least two ridings will see new faces as Kelley, Coiteux will not seek re-election
At least two new faces will represent the heart of the West Island in the National Assembly following the provincial election on Oct. 1. Of course, this is not that bold of a prediction. Two West Island MNAs — Geoffrey Kelley (Jacques-Cartier) and Martin Coiteux (Nelligan) — have already announced they will not seek re-election, each citing personal reasons.
Kelley, who is the minister of native affairs, was first elected in 1994 and will not be seeking an eighth consecutive mandate.
Martin Coiteux is the minister of municipal affairs and land occupancy, public security and the Montreal region. He also served as Treasury Board chairman. Not bad for a single-term rookie politician.
For the 2014 election, the Liberals tagged Coiteux and Carlos Leitão (Robert-Baldwin MNA and Quebec finance minister) as part of their economic team.
It’s been reported Geoffrey Kelley’s son, Greg Kelley, hopes to run in Jacques-Cartier.
Media reports on Tuesday had the Liberals opting for DollarddesOrmeaux resident Monsef Derraji, the director general of Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec (RJCCQ), as its Nelligan candidate. Although the West Island will likely remain a Liberal stronghold, according to various opinion polls (blog.qc125.com), there is a good chance the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) could form a majority government — based mainly on the first-pastthe-post results outside of the Montreal region.
The CAQ, led by Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue native François Legault, hit a soap opera-like snag when announcing its first West Island candidate, Karen Cliffe. Her CAQ candidacy lasted less than a week, following reports of some old tweets directed at a CNN staffer over his criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump. After her split with the CAQ, Cliffe went on social media to support the Conservative Party of Quebec as a viable option for West Island voters. Yes, it’s true. There is a Quebec Conservative Party as well as a Quebec NDP party that will be running candidates in the Oct. 1 election, including seats in the West Island. For example, the Conservatives have Louis-Charles Fortier running in Jacques-Cartier and Olivia Boye in Marquette, the latter being the stronghold of Liberal MNA François Ouimet, who is also the vice-president of the National Assembly. (Ouimet is expected to be renominated on Aug. 15.) John Symon is running for the NDP in Marquette.
The Aug. 23 official start of the election campaign looms. West Islanders will vote with their hearts, consciences or abide by loyalties — it is up to each individual to decide — but one thing is certain. The complete picture will reveal itself once all the candidates are named. It will be interesting to see how the local campaigns develop.
Although the West Island will likely remain a Liberal stronghold, according to various opinion polls, there is a good chance the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) could form a majority government.