Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois “isn’t perfect.” Nevertheless, the release of Catherine Dorion in her book does not call into question her leadership role, assure the three candidates for the post of co-spokesperson of Québec Solidaire (QS).
Ruba Ghazal, Christine Labrie and Émilise Lessard-Therrien were invited by Le Devoir to a debate as part of the co-leadership race and took turns on Tuesday to support whoever they want to work with at the top of the left . In her latest book, former Taschenreau MP Catherine Dorion sharply questions the way the former student leader operates as parliamentary leader of QS.
“Gabriel is not perfect. His leadership style is not perfect. If I become a speaker, you will tell me that I am not perfect. “It is impossible,” agreed Mercier MP Ruba Ghazal on Tuesday, before recalling that “GND” has been subjected to great “pressure” since taking office as parliamentary leader at the age of 31.
“He’s taking a trip, and that’s completely normal,” the supportive elected official said.
Sherbrooke MP Christine Labrie, who worked closely with Mr Nadeau-Dubois during her last term as parliamentary leader, was also asked about the issue and reiterated that her colleague had never been “perfect”. “We are all doing our best. “We all have the constant concern of disappointing as few people as possible in order to live up to the trust that people have in us,” she said. We all make mistakes and then mistakes along the way. »
Regardless, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois is “definitely” the right person for the job. “As you can see, people are rushing to cooperate with him! » introduced Ms. Labrie.
A warning “
GND may have “the courage to act”, but it must heed the “warning” given by Ms Dorion in her book “Les têtes brûlés”. Notebooks full of punk hope, according to the third candidate in the race for QS co-speaker, Émilise Lessard-Therrien.
The former member for Rouyn-Noranda-Témiscamingue calls on them to draw attention to the dangers of the National Assembly institution. “Catherine warns us of a potential risk: that of borrowing from the practices and culture of this institution in which we are confined and which is sometimes very toxic,” she said.
Christine Labrie also hopes that the release of the artist-turned-MP will bring QS “to [se] Ask questions about how the left can grow in Quebec.” She says she was surprised at “the level of distress” Ms. Dorion felt in her last mandate.
“I still have a great sense of sadness,” she said Tuesday. Because she is a colleague who I valued very much and still value very much. I wish I had been there for her more than I was. »
The story that Catherine Dorion drew from her four-year term as MP for Taschenreau “is probably part of her therapy,” says Ruba Ghazal. The Montreal elected official says she has the same affection for Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois and Catherine Dorion. “I, I adore Catherine, I love her, then I adore Gabriel, then I love her. Ah, we might like that […] two people who may not get along well. Then things happen,” she emphasized.
Ms. Ghazal claims she “doesn’t do that [avoir] “I had the same experience at all” as Catherine Dorion. ” Not at all. “
“Power negotiations”
The former Taschenreau MP published a nearly 400-page book this week in which she asks several questions about the leadership style of Québec Solidaire’s co-speakers. First of all, that of Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
In a passage from the book, for example, Ms. Dorion points out that the elected official who became the party’s parliamentary leader in 2021 was prone to engaging in “emotional and emotional arguments.” [à des] Power negotiations.” In several paragraphs she questions her behavior at the top of the party and says that she caused unrest through her place in the media. “As they say in the theater: I’m on stage. “That’s not happening,” she once wrote.
After refusing to comment during the day on Monday, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois finally spoke out in a long message on his social networks in the evening. “Catherine and I didn’t have the easiest relationship. “It won’t surprise anyone,” he admitted. In his text, QS’s current male co-spokesman complains that despite four years together in parliament, he has failed to find a “crossover” between Ms Dorion’s political vision and his own.
“For Catherine, the current system condemns the politician to play the role of a “zombie tribune, erased, scripted and incapable of making history.” I don’t recognize my colleagues in this description,” the supportive co-speaker added. “Catherine had a different perspective and our differences were never resolved. This challenge is faced by many parties who want to put an end to the status quo. »
With poll numbers stagnating, Mr Nadeau-Dubois will face a vote by members in two weeks to remain the party’s male co-speaker. Since he is the only one running for this office, the vote is a vote of confidence.
Ms. Ghazal, Ms. Labrie and Lessard-Therrien are the first elected or former members of the Left Party to speak verbally about the saga surrounding Mr. Nadeau-Dubois and Ms. Dorion.