Liberal Party touts Derraji as ‘ideal candidate’ for Nelligan
Former head of Vision Montreal seeks to encourage entrepreneurship
On more than one occasion during his official debut, newly minted Liberal candidate for Nelligan Monsef Derraji described himself as “un homme de terrain” — a man with practical experience.
The businessman spoke to reporters and supporters about the importance of connecting with the grassroots community and encouraging new businesses during the official nomination announcement in Pierrefonds on Tuesday of his candidacy for the Oct. 1 election.
Derraji was flanked by a Liberal power trio for the occasion.
Premier Philippe Couillard introduced Derraji as a man with strong ties to the West Island who was chosen for his business and economic acumen. Martin Coiteux, the minister of public security and municipal affairs, said it was an emotional moment for him to pass the torch to Derraji who he described as “an ideal candidate.” The MNA announced in April he would not seek re-election after a single term in office. In 2014, Coiteux won Nelligan with 80 per cent of the vote.
Coiteux called Derraji a friend and said that he had the right values to represent the West Island.
Robert-Baldwin MNA and Finance Minister Carlos Leitão remained close to Derraji’s side during the crush of Derraji’s first media scrum, at times stepping in to help the candidate field questions. They have common bonds.
“We both came from elsewhere,” Leitão said. Leitão was born in Portugal and Derraji in Morocco. They share an interest in economics and business.
Derraji, 42, served as the head of the Régroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec and the Congrès maghrébin du Québec and was president of the municipal party Vision Montréal for three years. He completed a masters in pharmaceutical management at Université Laval and is working on a health-sector-related PhD at Université de Montréal.
Derraji and his wife, Myriam Naib, have two children and live in Dollard-des- Ormeaux.
The ridings of Nelligan and Robert-Baldwin share portions of Pierrefonds, which means certain issues for constituents will overlap. Parts of Pierrefonds are economically disadvantaged. Encouraging entrepreneurship is one of Derraji’s priorities.
“There are programs available to help people launch businesses,” Derraji told reporters. “I want to help promote entrepreneurship. Another main issue in Nelligan is transportation. The REM (lightrail network) will help, but more needs to be done.”
“People need jobs and they need a way to get to these jobs,” Leitão said. “It will be our job to make sure the rest of the available public transportation is co-ordinated to get them to the REM.”
At the top of the nomination announcement, reporters asked Couillard to respond to Jean Charest’s comments, made during a radio interview, about the premier’s handling of the unceremonious ouster of veteran Marquetteriding MNA François Ouimet last week. Charest, who was Quebec premier from 2003 to 2012, said the move made the party look like it was improvising in the lead up to the Aug. 23 launch of the election campaign. Charest said Ouimet was a well-liked and efficient MNA. Couillard said all leaders have to made difficult decisions, even if it means hurting someone close to you.
Charest also took a swipe at the party’s campaign slogan “Pour faciliter la vie des Québécois,” saying it was too long. Couillard said Charest had every right to express his opinion whenever he likes. He said the slogan reached beyond focusing only on the economic successes of the Liberal government to touch on improving all aspects of life in Quebec.