Arcand called home as criticism grows over trip

Quebec Liberal MNA Pierre Arcand is being asked to return home amid mounting criticism over his decision to vacation in the Caribbean.

A spokesperson for Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade confirmed Wednesday that she has asked Arcand to return home from Barbados as soon as possible.

Arcand, a former interim leader of the party, issued a statement on Tuesday saying he regretted his decision to take the trip with his wife and promised to respect the 14-day isolation period required by the federal government for travellers who return from abroad.

Both the federal and provincial governments have warned against non-essential holiday travel, and the Quebec government has asked Ottawa to increase surveillance of returning travellers amid soaring COVID-19 numbers.

Anglade told radio station 98.5 FM Wednesday morning that she had known Arcand planned to leave and said she had tried to discourage him from doing so.

She said she should have prohibited members of her party from leaving the country.

Meanwhile, Coalition Avenir Québec MNA Youri Chassin is currently in Lima, Peru, visiting his husband who he has not seen for almost a year. In an interview, the St-jérôme MNA said it was not a pleasure trip, that he got approval from the party whip, and he has rarely left his husband's residence.

Chassin said the situation in Peru is similar to Quebec, with museums, cinemas and restaurants closed. He said it was easier for him to travel to Peru than for his husband to come to Quebec.

“For me, there's no contradiction between the government's message to follow the rules,” he said. “Clearly, there are always particular circumstances and I found it important to be transparent.”

The CAQ government has asked Ottawa to tighten controls on international travellers.