Blanchet has clear path to Bloc party leadership

Former Parti Québécois minister Yves-François Blanchet is the only remaining candidate for the leadership of the Bloc Québécois, after MP Michel Boudrias, who said he was in reflection, announced on Friday he would not run for the job. Boudrias, MP for Terrebonne, did not throw his support behind Blanchet, saying he would not support any candidate in the race. He said a leadership race was not the best way “to advance ideas.” Boudrias said he would instead focus on the 2019 general election, because his riding is a “hot spot” for the Bloc and he would put himself in “electoral mode” immediately. With the announcement, Blanchet, who is not a member of the House of Commons, is now the only declared candidate in the race to lead the sovereignist party. Earlier this week, Christian Hébert declined to run and came out in support of Blanchet. The deadline for candidates to file nominations is Jan. 15. If there is more than one candidate, the leader will be chosen Feb. 24. Even if he doesn’t officially have the job, Blanchet has already started acting as a leader, issuing a statement Friday morning criticizing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the environment. On Thursday, he also took on Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer’s chief of staff about the future of the Bloc. This leadership race is to replace Martine Ouellet, who stepped down on June 11 following a failed leadership review vote. Pointe-del’Île MP Mario Beaulieu remains interim leader until a new one is chosen. The Bloc has 10 MPs in the 338-seat House of Commons.