While the polls show a collapse of the support for the new Democratic Party of Canada (NPD), Alexandre Boulerice puts on his assessment and that of his political training to be re-elected in his constituency of Rosemont-the Petite-Patrie, in Montreal.
The only neo-democratic deputy in Quebec since the 2019 elections would like to recall that the NPD has succeeded in obtaining concessions from the Liberal Minority Government of Justin Trudeau in exchange for his support for the House of Commons.
The dental care program, the anti-breakfast law, Aboriginal housing, the 10 days of illness is the NPD. We used our balance of power in Ottawa, while the Conservatives and the Bloc have obtained absolutely nothing
he says.
Give us the balance of power if it is a minority government, then we will go do the work.
Elected with the 2011 orange wave, Alexandre Boulerice requests a fifth term. In the last elections, in 2021, he had retained his seat with a comfortable advance of almost 14,000 votes on his closest rival.
The game seems more difficult this time, because neo-democrats see their voting intentions melt for the benefit of liberals in national polls.
In Rosemont-the Petite-Patrie as elsewhere, the priority of many voters is to choose the team that will face US President Donald Trump, which disadvantages the NPD, who has never managed to take power.
The response of people on the street or door-to-door is really excellent. We have a relationship that has been created over the years here in Rosemont-the Petite-Patrie, known as Alexandre Boulerice. But at the same time, we work very hard, there are a lot of volunteers, we don’t take anything for granted.
A member known in the field
During our passage in his constituency, Alexandre Boulerice visited a residence for seniors. Before entering it, he crosses a voter, Hélène, whom he salutes by his first name.
You have a beautiful neighborhood anyway
she said to him, under the eye of our camera. Yes, I love it. Until date, he also loves me, we will try that it lasts
he replies.
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An electoral poster of the neo-democratic candidate Alexandre Boulerice, in Rosemont-the Petite-Patrie
Photo : Radio-Canada / Ivanoh Demers
Inside, the welcome is also warm. The vast majority of residents recognize this at first glance. Some take egoportraits with him. You are the man of the situation
declares one of them, expressing his satisfaction on the work of the politician.
Normally, I vote for you, but with Trump then all that, I really don’t know
said a young man in a wheelchair.
Far from being caught off guard, Alexandre Boulerice has an already ready response. But here, the Conservatives are zero chance of winning, which means that one can vote for me and send someone more to the left than a liberal
he says.
In the street, several voters say they will rely on the outgoing deputy again, but others question. It is really the context, the geopolitical environment, the power of the NPD in all of this. But it is a reflection in progress
says a young woman by bike.
I was blocking, then I also encouraged the NDP for several years. But this year, with everything that is going on with our Trumpist, I think I’m going to vote Liberal
she continues.
Liberals make the advantages of power are shining
Liberal candidate Jean-Sébastien Vallée believes that he has a real chance of winning over Alexandre Boulerice. He says he observes a craze for his party on the ground.
People stop at the room every day to say: “Well, I didn’t vote liberal, but I’m here, I want to help you”,
he says.
To convince the voters, he argues that they would be better served with a deputy on the side of power.
We have to be very very strong and it is important that we are in government in Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie, at the table to advance certain files quickly, faster, that we can collaborate with the various ministers.
Jean-Sébastien Vallée does not hesitate to assign the Liberals the creation of the Federal Dental Insurance Program, appreciated by many voters.
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Liberal candidate Jean-Sébastien Vallée telephone to liberal sympathizers of Rosemont-the little-country to ensure their support.
Photo : Radio-Canada
Was it Mr. Boulerice who sat at the table, who negotiated with Quebec? It is us, thanks to our government that was able to use this program, and we continue to expand it to everyone, so it’s really a liberal program
he said.
The liberal candidate may well try to rewrite history, ”retorts Alexandre Boulerice. “It is really thanks to the NPD work and the fact that it was a minority government. Because before the 2021 election, it had been proposed in Parliament and I would remind Monsieur that the Liberals had voted against.
The block wants to curb the rise of the liberals
For his part, Olivier Gignac would like to bring Rosemont-the Petite-Patrie in the fold of the Bloc Québécois, who held the constituency before the orange wave.
To rally the voters, he recalls that the party of Yves-François Blanchet will ensure the defense of the interests of Quebec. This is the possibility of having a bulwark against things that would be imposed on us on a Canadian scale
he pleads.
Like Alexandre Boulerice, he wants his party to hold the balance of power in the next parliament.
If we give carte blanche to a majority government, we find ourselves dispossessed of our ability to demand things that we could benefit from.
The Bloc Québécois remains popular with part of the electorate, which sees in him a protector of Quebec specificity.
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Blocker candidate Olivier Gignac (right) in discussion with a voter on the Plaza Saint-Hubert, in Rosemont-the Petite-Patrie.
Photo : Radio-Canada
Because, for me, it is important that Quebec is represented in the Federal, it is our way of being assured that we have our right of speech
said a voter encountered in Rosemont-the Petite-Patrie.
But like the NPD, political training notes that some of its voters are tempted to defection among the liberals.
During our visit to the campaign room of Olivier Gignac, a volunteer telephone operator told the candidate that she must persuade many blquistles sympathizers to remain faithful to the party. So let’s see, Canada will vote for Carney, don’t worry. I said: “This is where you have to vote for the block”
relate-t-elle.
We also put on the debate of Wednesday chiefs to reverse the tide. For us, this is an essential moment, when Quebecers and Quebecers will be able to see how our chef Yves-François Blanchet is skillful to place the current government in the face of his contradictions
supports the blocist candidate.
Conservative candidate Laetitia Thatat refused our interview request for this article. Benoît Morham presents himself for the Green Party of Canada, in this constituency which risks being the scene of a three-democrats struggle, the Liberals and the Blquaists.
