The 2014 Bloc Québécois leadership election was held June 14, 2014 to choose a successor for Daniel Paillé who resigned on December 16, 2013 for health reasons.
Voter turnout in the election was 58.5%, up from the 2011 leadership election, with approximately 19,000 members voted by telephone to elect Daniel Paillé's successor.
Timeline
2013 February 27 – Jonquière—Alma MP Claude Patry leaves the New Democratic Party caucus to join the Bloc Québécois. September 12 – Ahuntsic MP Maria Mourani is expelled from the Bloc Québécois caucus due to comments against the provincial Parti Québécois government's proposed Quebec Charter of Values. December 16 – Paillé resigns the leadership and presidency due to health concerns. Richmond—Arthabaska MP André Bellavance is named interim parliamentary leader, and vice-president Annie Lessard is named the interim president.
2014 February 22 – Bellavance announces his candidacy. February 26 – Bellavance resigns as parliamentary leader, and Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia MP Jean-François Fortin is named interim parliamentary leader. April 8 – Official start to the leadership race. May 7 – Last date for candidates to submit $15,000 entry fee and for candidates to file a nomination form signed by a total of at least 1,000 party members from across at least 25 ridings. May 15 – Deadline for membership and renewals. May 24 – Candidates debate during BQ policy convention in Rimouski. June 11–13 – Party members vote by telephone. June 14 – The winner of the leadership election announced. June 23–25 – The party holds a convention in Rimouski, where the new leader officially assumes the leadership of the party.
Official candidates Candidates who have submitted the $15,000 registration fee and 1,000 signatures gathered from at least 25 ridings.
Mario Beaulieu Background Leader of the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste (2009–2014).
Positions Bealieu argues that the BQ should more strongly emphasize Quebec independence and accuses Bellavance of wanting to water down sovereignty to win votes.
Date campaign announced: April 28, 2014 Date officially registered: May 7, 2014 Endorsements Prominent individuals: Bernard Landry, former Premier of Quebec; Djemila Benhabib, essayist and former Parti Québécois candidate; Lucie Laurier, actress; national executive of the Forum jeunesse du Bloc Québécois (Bloc Quebecois youth wing); Xavier Barsalou-Duval, Bloc youth wing president; Yves Beauchemin, author
André Bellavance Background MP for Richmond—Arthabaska (2004–2015) Leader of the party in the House of Commons (2013–2014)
Positions Has said that for the Bloc to revive itself it must become more than a coalition of sovereigntists.
Date campaign announced: February 22, 2014 Date officially registered: May 5, 2014 Endorsements MPs: (3) Jean-François Fortin, Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia; Claude Patry, Jonquière—Alma; Louis Plamondon, Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour Former MPs: Daniel Turp Others: Vivian Barbot, former president of the party; and some 30 former Bloc MPs
Declined Pierre Curzi, former MNA for Borduas (2007–2012) Gilles Duceppe, former MP for Laurier—Sainte-Marie (1990–2011) and Bloc Québécois leader (1997–2011) Pierre Duchesne, former Quebec Minister of Higher Education and MNA for Borduas (2012–2014) Jean-François Fortin, MP for Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia Bernard Landry, former Premier of Quebec (2001–2003) Pierre Paquette, former MP for Joliette (2000–2011) Daniel Turp, former MP for Beauharnois—Salaberry (1997–2000) and MNA for Mercier (2003–2008).
Results + Support by Ballot Candidate 1st ballot Votes cast % Mario Beaulieu 5,947 53.5% André Bellavance 5,168 46.5% Total TBA 100.0%
See also 2011 Bloc Québécois leadership election 42nd Canadian federal election
References