Liberals choose candidates for Westmount, Jacques Cartier
QUEBEC Quebec’s Liberals have finally decided the names of their candidates in the ridings of Westmount—St-Louis and Jacques Cartier.
After several months of behindthe-scenes interviews and discussions, Jennifer Maccarone, president of the Quebec English School Boards Association, is to be named Wednesday as the candidate in Westmount—St-Louis.
And Greg Kelley, son of former cabinet minister Geoff Kelley, who was responsible for native affairs, will follow in his father’s footsteps and run in Jacques-Cartier.
The party has announced two news conferences in both ridings for Wednesday. Premier Philippe Couillard will attend both.
Maccarone will replace MNA Jacques Chagnon, the former speaker of the legislature, who is retiring after 33 years of service.
Sources said Tuesday that the decision — made by 17 members of the Westmount—St-Louis riding association Monday evening — was unanimous.
Maccarone currently lives in Laval, but has lived in Westmount in the past. The association examined five possible candidates including Elizabeth Gomery, the daughter of former judge John Gomery, before voting for Maccarone.
A staunch defender of the English school system, Maccarone, who is also chairperson of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, is well connected at the National Assembly.
She was a key figure in the 2016 community’s fight against the Couillard government’s Bill 86, which would have scrapped English school boards elections.
More recently, she has led the charge opposing plans by the Coalition Avenir Québec to scrap school boards including anglophone boards and replace them with service centres should it take power in the Oct. 1 vote.
Greg Kelley, who has worked in Couillard’s office, currently works for cabinet minister Kathleen Weil, the minister responsible for relations with the English-speaking community. Kelley ’s name was the hands down favourite of the Jacques Cartier riding association.