Vallières steps back to focus on family
Karine Vallières, the Liberal Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for the Richmond Riding announced via Facebook early on Monday morning that she will be stepping back from politics after the end of the current session this fall in order to spend more time with her family. Vallières was first elected as Member for Richmond in the general election held on September 4, 2012, following in the footsteps of her father, Yvon Vallières, who represented the riding for more than 30 years.
“I want and I need to give the coming years to my two beautiful daughters: Roséliane, who will soon be 16, and Clémence, who is 13,” Vallières shared in her Facebook announcement. “They have shared me with the 70,000 people in my riding, but now I must be present in my role as their mother. I know what they are living, I have been in their position.”
The MNA reflected on the fact that, because of her heritage, she has lived with politics her entire life. While she pointed out that this decision does not mean that she is done at the National Assembly forever, Vallières emphasized the need to take time now to life her own life.
“Politics is not a job, it is a sacrifice of self,” the Richmond representative said, adding, “We can choose to return to politics at each election campaign.”
Vallières added that she liked the person that she has been as a politician and that she will continue to believe in the region and fight for its needs, just in different ways than she might have otherwise.
Brendalee Piironen, Executive Director of the Wales Home, has worked extensively with Vallières over the recent years in the effort to secure government funding for the seniors’ home.
“I was surprised, but I respect her decision,” Piironen said, explaining that although she would be happy to have Vallières continue in her role after all the relationship building that the home has done with its MNA over the recent years, she completely understands the desire to let a person live their own life.
“I’m confident that whoever takes her place, (Vallières) will inform them of details of the situation,” Piironen said. “I respect what’s happening in her life.”
Vallières’ announcement stopped short of certainty about her professional future, but the MNA underlined the fact that she will continue to work hard for her region until the current mandate is finished.