GATINEAU – Shaken by the results of the last election and the criticism he faced, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois considered leaving his post as co-speaker of Quebec Solidaire, but ultimately stayed on.
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“After the 2022 results, I was disappointed, I was sad and I think I didn’t tell you enough,” the parliamentary leader of Quebec Solidaire admitted with emotion during a speech in Gatineau on Saturday morning, pausing to better contain himself.
QS was unable to wrest official opposition status from the Quebec Liberal Party and once again formed the second opposition group.
“Is it good that I stay,” said Gouin’s deputy, continuing his mea culpa to his activists gathered at the congress.
“I took the time to think and take a long walk,” he said. For a moment, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois told himself that he could be content with being nothing more than a simple father of a little girl of a year and a half, a hockey fan, but “not in the same way as Eric Girard,” joked he.
Critics from within
“In politics we are always criticized in the media, by our opponents, that is part of the game. Over time we develop a shell, a hard skin,” emphasized the co-head of QS.
But what hurt most was the criticism from within his own party. “These are the ones who penetrate the armor,” he stated, clearly moved.
Parliamentary leader and co-spokesman of Quebec Solidaire Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois gave an emotional speech Saturday morning as his delegates gathered at a conference in Gatineau resumed work. PHOTO Marc-André Gagnon
Let us recall that some of these criticisms are expressed in particular by the former Sackreau Solidarity deputy, Catherine Dorion, in a book that she published a few days ago.
“This of course makes us ask questions,” admitted Mr. Nadeau-Dubois, who faces a kind of confidence vote in front of his party delegates this weekend. The latter will also elect on Sunday who, Christine Labrie, Émilise Lessard-Therrien and Ruba Ghazal, will succeed Manon Massé as female co-spokesperson of their party.
The candidates for the position of co-spokesperson of Québec Solidaire are Christine Labrie, Émilise Lessard-Therrien and Ruba Ghazal. PHOTO Marc-André Gagnon
Ultimately, by returning to what led him to QS, he decided to stay in his position and not “to fulfill a personal wish, to implement a career plan, to let my personality shine,” he emphasized.
“When I see how far we have come together, I am proud. When I look at how we could change the lives of millions of Quebecers. I am so proud and above all full of hope and I want to continue this great fight with you,” he said.
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