Blanchette Vézina Joins Conservatives, Gains Seat

0:00Quebec's conservative party finally has an elected voice in the National Assembly. Former cabinet minister Maite Blanchette-Bezina crossed the floor from the coalition Avenir Quebec to join them this week. She quit the C.A.Q. back in September. After premier Francois Legault removed her from the natural resources role and sat as an independent until now. Conservative leader Eric Duhaim had been pursuing her for months, including inviting her to speak at their convention in January. This move gives the conservatives their first seat in the legislature, much like in 2021, when Duhaim a convinced another XC.A.Q. Member Claire Samson to switch sides. In the 2020 to election, the party pulled in nearly 13% of the vote, but one zero seats, while the Liberals got about 14% and so 21. Blanchette-Bezina plans to run for the conservatives in the October general election, which could help build momentum as the campaign heats up. Canada News Today, powered by AI bringing you what matters.