2014 Bloc Québécois leadership election

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 (politician)|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; 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

References

References

1. (December 16, 2013). "Daniel Paillé, leader of Bloc Québécois, to resign". The Huffington Post Canada.
2. Grégoire-Racicot, Louise. (April 11, 2014). "Louis Plamondon appuie André Bellavance". Le Journal de Montreal.
3. (June 14, 2014). "The Bloc Quebecois to announce its new leader today". CJAD News.
4. (February 27, 2013). "Quebec NDP MP Claude Patry jumps to Bloc". CBC News.
5. Mas, Susana. (September 12, 2013). "Bloc Québécois expels MP over secular charter comments". CBC News.
6. "Federal Experience: André Bellavance". Parliament of Canada.
7. "Federal Experience: Jean-François Fortin". Parliament of Canada.
8. (May 8, 2014). "Mario Beaulieu's candidacy for Bloc Québécois confirmed". Montreal Gazette.
9. "Bloc Québécois".
10. (April 30, 2014). "Bloc Québécois leadership candidate Mario Beaulieu wants to put sovereignty back on the front burner". Montreal Gazette.
11. Pilon-Larose, Hugo. (April 28, 2014). "Mario Beaulieu se présente à la direction du Bloc québécois". La Presse.
12. (May 7, 2014). "Il y aura une course à la direction au Bloc québécois". ICIradio-canada.ca.
13. (June 14, 2014). "Mario Beaulieu élu chef du Bloc québécois". La Presse.
14. (May 1, 2014). "Plusieurs jeunes bloquistes signent une lettre d'appui à André Bellavance". La Nouvelle Union.
15. Delisle, Gabriel. (February 22, 2014). "André Bellavance convoite la présidence du Bloc québécois". La Presse.
16. (May 6, 2014). "Bloc québécois: Mario Beaulieu pourrait devoir être chef à temps partiel". Le Devoir.
17. Mathias Marchal. (2018-06-05). "Chefferie du Bloc: les candidats dévoilent leurs appuis". Métro.
18. Macpherson, Don. (December 17, 2013). "Bloc Québécois leadership: the job nobody who is anybody seems to want". The Gazette.
19. Authier, Philip. (December 18, 2013). "Gilles Duceppe quashes rumours he'll seek Bloc leadership". The Gazette.
20. (May 3, 2014). "Pierre Duchesne, prochain dg du PQ?". Ici Radio Canada.
21. (April 19, 2014). "Daniel Turp se range derrière André Bellavance". Le Devoir.
22. (May 4, 2014). "André Bellavance declares candidacy to lead Bloc". The Globe and Mail.
23. (June 14, 2014). "Mario Beaulieu est le nouveau chef du Bloc québécois".