Ex-hockey tough guy Laraque says critics won’t stop him from being Green

OTTAWA – Georges Laraque says he understands why someone would question why he is deputy leader of the federal Green Party.

After a week that included what he described as exaggerated headlines about a police visit to his Montrealarea home, Laraque noted that he never applied for the political job but is happy to continue doing it as a volunteer.

“I’m not going to fight about it,” said Laraque, a former professional hockey player who was known for dropping his gloves on the ice. “I’m helping out for free and I’m just happy that my presence is boosting the audience when we do conferences … It’s good for the party. It’s good for what we’re doing. But if somebody thinks they can do much better then (they should) go ahead, contact the party and I’ll be okay with it.”

Several media outlets reported this week that local police had raided Laraque’s home on the south shore of Montreal, but he said the reports were “totally blown out of proportion.” He said investigators were seeking records related to a private legal dispute with a former business partner that started last April, but no charges were laid against anyone.

“Until everybody has all the facts, which I can’t go into right now, it’s easy to judge,” Laraque said.

While his political rivals have occasionally joked in private about controversy surrounding Laraque, the Conservatives, New Democrats, Liberals and Bloc Quebecois all passed when asked to comment on the police action this week.