Claude DeBellefeuille confirmed as Bloc candidate
It was an emotional Claude DeBellefeuille who was officially designated the Bloc Quebecois candidate for Salaberry-Suroit on Sunday, June 14 in Valleyfield, in the presence of her leader Gilles Duceppe, from whom she had acquired her political experience.
«I evolved from Duceppe», she remarked. «I am disciplined, responsible and hard-working.» Visibly at ease with the militants present, the former MP from 2006 to 2011 also used the terms « sovereignists, feminist, ecologist and progressive » to describe herself.
But it was the former Pequiste Minister of Municipal Affairs and Transport, Sylvain Gaudreault, who was called upon to speak more in detail of the Bloc candidate. He had been her cabinet leader from 2012 to 2014 at the Municipal Affairs Ministry.
« People tell me that I was a good minister, but if I was, it's because I was well surrounded, and the first person was Claude DeBellefeuille. When one can count on someone who delivers the merchandise, who knows how to respond to the various intervening parties, it is very reassuring, » he declaired, noting her talents of mobilization and her understanding of the stakes.
Just like the Duceppe effect at the head of the Bloc Quebecois, the return of DeBellefeuille created lots of enthusiasm among the Bloc troops, whose membership has now surpassed 700 members.
The candidate did not miss the opportunity to launch a mobilization appeal from all the Salaberry-Suroit sovereignists, particularly in opposition to the TransCanada Energy-East pipeline project, whose proposed path would use part of the Soulanges territory.
Respect for anglophones
Questioned on Bloc Quebecois politics affecting the anglophone community, party leader Duceppe indicated that the Bloc has always shown respect for anglophones, as it has for people of all origins.
«Moreover, when I went to Ottawa this week, several anglophones came to tell me they were happy about my return because I had been the one who had best defended the veterans' dossier», he said, recalling his maternal Irish origins.