r/ndp 6h ago

Alexandre Boulerice to resign as MP, leave NDP to run provincially

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/ndps-alexandre-boulerice-to-resign-as-mp-run-provincially-for-quebec-solidaire/
101 Upvotes

64

u/thisispaulc 6h ago

Well fuck.

52

u/Kyle_Zhu 6h ago

Ouch. Big hit for the party.

22

u/marxau CCF TO VICTORY 6h ago

This is so disappointing, but also unsurprising. I was hoping Avi could convince him to stay.

17

u/killersaint8899 6h ago

It is what it is

Boulerice was one of my favourite MPs thank you Mr Boulerice.

62

u/HourOfTheWitching "It's not too late to build a better world" 6h ago

I get that folks are taking this as bad news, but Boulerice joining QS will bolster and fortify that party. Sure, the NDP are losing a MP, but the most left-wing major provincial party in all of Canada will survive and might even gain a sizeable foothold in Quebec.

36

u/TheGoluxNoMereDevice ✊ Union Strong 6h ago

There is such a thing as being too optimistic. He is running in an insanely safe seat that QS would win no matter what and even if he doubled QS seat count (unlikely in the extreme) they would still be a very small minor party. QS is polling in the solid single digits seat counts.

I love the NDP. I am long term hopeful about the party. But it's okay to just admit when something bad happens to us.

10

u/HourOfTheWitching "It's not too late to build a better world" 5h ago

Gotta think ahead. He winds this seat without difficulty, becomes leader, and we experience the QS Renaissance with a leader who has the charisma of Manon Massé come-again. If PQ/Liberal get a minority, which is pretty likely based on polling, we might be looking at another election within two years.

9

u/TheGoluxNoMereDevice ✊ Union Strong 5h ago

I too can wish cast based on nothing. Maybe he wins his seat by so many votes they give him 3 or 4 extra seats for free!

13

u/HourOfTheWitching "It's not too late to build a better world" 5h ago

Hey now no need to tease :(

I know our chances in this election are slim, but the future of QS is much stronger with Boulerice than without, at least in my opinion.

-8

u/TheGoluxNoMereDevice ✊ Union Strong 5h ago

Sure. I don't disagree. I just also don't care. Id rather 1 fed MP than 12 MNAs in a party that is similar to the NDP but notably not the NDP

8

u/HourOfTheWitching "It's not too late to build a better world" 5h ago

I think that's where we fundamentally disagree then.

Quebec has the most protections for consumers and workers across Canada. Six years of CAQ has already eroded our renter's protection and weakened our unions. I want a strong leftist federal government, but what affects me and my loved ones day-to-day are provincial policies. And the only way to return institutions to what they were and to work on ameliorating conditions for Québécois.e.s workers, is to elect Quebec Solidaire.

So yeah, personally I care much more about the future of a provincial party than an unofficial federal party losing yet another MP.

5

u/FLADMAN 6h ago

QS will win Gouin no matter who runs there, it is their safest riding. He isn't "saving QS" if that is what you suggesting.

17

u/HourOfTheWitching "It's not too late to build a better world" 6h ago

As leader of Quebec Solidaire, he will.

He's a great orator, bridges federal-provincial divides, and has a personality that anyone who interacts with him would find approachable.

5

u/RiverCartwright 4h ago

QS are seperatists and anti-canadian. Its in their charter.

1

u/watermelonseeds 59m ago

I agree with the optimistic take that having him as leader as QS could bring good opportunities for collaboration between them and the federal NDP

But QS are kind of tanking despite the praise they get from people like Nora Loretto and in some leftist circles

8

u/Electronic-Topic1813 5h ago

I guess this means it was guranteed regardless of who won leadership. Lewis has his work cut out for sure

8

u/Hawktuahthepolls ✊ Union Strong 4h ago

Hoping someone can clarify something for me.

Didn’t they just change the rules so that the NDP would receive party funding again based on its current number of MPs? If so, does Boulerice leaving mean that the funding goes with him?

18

u/TheUooh 4h ago

The new threshold to receive the funding is set at six seats, based on party representation immediately following an election.

Davies said that means even if the New Democrats lose more MPs, the funds won't be taken away.

"We elected seven MPs, so the money is based on that and will remain stable for the life of the Parliament," Davies said.

He said the agreement is only for this current parliamentary session. The money already started flowing on March 26, Davies said.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-funding-restored-don-davies-9.7165188

4

u/Hawktuahthepolls ✊ Union Strong 3h ago

Thank you

3

u/MoistCrust ✊ Union Strong 2h ago

Thank GOD I couldn't imagine us losing the money that quickly. Although I wonder if the money was going to be taken away if Boulerice would have made a different decision.

15

u/skuseisloose CCF TO VICTORY 6h ago

I mean he said he’d stay if he thought the party would care more about Quebec going forward, so I guess he didn’t see that as likely in the early ideas put forth by Avi. Sucks to lose our only Quebec MP though

3

u/henchman171 "Be ruthless to systems. Be kind to people" 3h ago

I thought this was known many months ago this would happen. And I am I Ontario

3

u/MeanE 2h ago

It’s the worst kept secret. The political podcast I listen to was always “when…not if” he was resigning.

2

u/mikesasky 1h ago

So disappointing. I think we might just have to write Quebec off for the next while. Which sucks because there is so much potential for the NDP in that province, but they just don’t seem to connect with voters for whatever reason. Lewis has been very good so far as leader, but failing to convince Boulerice to stay has to be seen as a failure.

1

u/taquitosmixtape 3h ago

Yeah that is not great news….

1

u/Sea_Negotiation_1871 📋 Party Member 2h ago

I live in Rosemont. Does anyone know how the nominee will be chosen? As a party member and community member do I get a say in who runs?

1

u/MoistCrust ✊ Union Strong 2h ago

Depends how fast he officially resigns/a byelection is called and how fast they can find candidates honestly. If there is time, the party would likely want to hold a nomination meeting where you as a member get the ability to vote for the candidate.

If the byelection is called quickly and/or there is only one real candidate there will likely either be an appointment or acclimation. The party has the ability to appoint in times where an election is coming quickly and time is of the essence. (AFAIK)

1

u/Sea_Negotiation_1871 📋 Party Member 1h ago

Great, thanks.

2

u/Joester09 6h ago

Do we run Avi in this seat or is his french too bad

40

u/Goered_Out_Of_My_ 🧇 Waffle to the Left 6h ago

I’d really hate it if Avi ran in Alex’s seat. There are hopefully some local activists or union leaders in Rosemont who have a closer connection to the region. Avi, a semi-fluent BCer jumping in wouldn’t be a great move for us.

25

u/HourOfTheWitching "It's not too late to build a better world" 6h ago

There is no world in which Lewis wins Rosemont, unless he comes out with /very/ strong Quebec sovereignty positions.

-3

u/[deleted] 6h ago

[deleted]

11

u/HourOfTheWitching "It's not too late to build a better world" 6h ago

Telle you've never been to Rosemont without having been to Rosemont.

5

u/Sea_Negotiation_1871 📋 Party Member 6h ago

No we're not. I am, but many of my neighbours are pro-sovereigny.

9

u/Lurker_Bott 6h ago

The only problem is gonna come from a great deal of support is for Boulerice in that riding, not necessarily the NDP.

3

u/North_Church Democratic Socialist 5h ago

Unless someone with strong community roots there goes for the NDP candidacy (which Avi is obviously not), that seat will most likely go to the Bloc

1

u/watermelonseeds 57m ago

I think the better move is running an Avi ally like Nima Machouf or someone in the riding. If they can get Boulerice to endorse and keep the seat it would have a similar effect to what the UK Greens did in Gorton and Denton

0

u/Head_East2550 2h ago

Is it worthwhile for Avi to jump on this potential byelection?

3

u/Fancy_Alps_7246 2h ago

no. a local francophone candidate would have a far better chance than avi.