By Kevin Woodhouse
www.thesuburban.com
On Monday, Pierre Marsan announced at a press conference at his Dollard des Ormeaux offices that he will not be running in the next provincial election, expected to be called for this spring by the PQ government.
Marsan was flanked by Jacques Cartier MNA Geoffrey Kelley and Francois Ouimet of Marquette and, along with Nelligan MNA Yolande James, referred to his Liberal colleagues as “the four amigos who have worked closely over the years”, thanked them for their work as colleagues and as friends before praising his constituents “and my staff who have supported me from the beginning.
“Mr. Marsan has strong, personal values and always worked hard for his riding,” Ouimet told the assembled that included many area community group representatives. “He was a man who always put his riding and party first and foremost.”
“I will miss you very much Pierre,” concluded Ouimet.
Kelley spoke of Marsan’s gentlemanly nature who was “a remarkable man who made sure to visit every group, church, mosque, synagogue and temple. He would always reach out to his riding and then present his constituents’ concerns in Quebec City.”
Marsan’s favourite moment politically was the work done by the West Island ridings to get out the vote during the 1995 referendum.
“During that campaign, every vote counted in that contest and victory for Canada was found in the West Island,” said Marsan who noted that 40,000 residents voted against separation in the riding with 150,000 saying no to separation in total on the West Island.
“We delivered for Quebec and for Canada and we are still happy to be part of Canada,” said Marsan.
Other areas of success include turning Cloverdale into a co-op, “one of the biggest and most successful in the country”, enlarging parking facilities for AMT users as well as working to install express buses. “They will not solve the major transportation issues we have but it was a good step forward,” the Robert-Balwdin MNA said.
Gabrille Collu, director of communications for the PLQ, told The Suburban that no candidate has been chosen yet simply because “we cannot consult or discuss a new candidate while we have a sitting MNA. Now that Mr. Marsan is officially stepping aside, we will be meeting with the association within the coming days.”
After meeting with the association, the candidacy process will begin and if an election is called next week, “things will have to be rushed through but if not, more time will be taken and if there are a number of candidates, a convention or nomination process might be called,” Collu said.
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