The countdown has begun: the announcement of the upcoming resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the holding of a federal election mean an imminent end to the mandate of the current independent MP for Richmond-Arthabaska, Alain Rayes.
In office since October 2015, first as a conservative MP, then sitting as an independent since 2022, Alain Rayes will leave political life at the end of his mandate, once the federal elections are called, probably somewhere in the spring.
“I have been, not feverish, but zen for several months already,” he confides in a telephone interview early Monday afternoon, his sixth interview of the day. Others would follow later.
Until the end of his mandate, even if parliament is prorogued, MP Rayes and his team will continue to deal with the issues of the citizens of the constituency. “I will go to Ottawa from time to time to discuss certain issues in person with ministers or civil servants,” indicates the elected official from Richmond-Arthabaska.
Asked about his next career, Alain Rayes specifies that he has had discussions with certain organizations and companies for around six months. “Now that the timetable is becoming clearer, I intend to reactivate these discussions to see the opportunities,” he notes, adding that he wants to stay in the region as much as possible.
MP Rayes does not close the door to the world of media. He also admits to having been solicited.
If he wishes to complete his mandate, it is not impossible, however, that he would finish beforehand if an opportunity presented itself. Or a transition is possible, he said, referring to the fact that he could take another job while completing his mandate as a deputy.
One thing is certain, Alain Rayes must continue to work. “I am 53 years old, I have to work and I want to contribute. Contrary to what people think about pensions, you only get it at age 65,” he says.
Too late
Regarding the announcement made by Justin Trudeau, Alain Rayes believes that it comes much too late. “It’s catastrophic,” he exclaims. Parliament has been dysfunctional since September and is now shut down until March. No major laws have been passed since. »
However, Prime Minister Trudeau should have reacted well before, according to him, given the numerous signals that have emerged. “These signals have been numerous: three electoral defeats in strongholds, unfavorable polls for a year and placing the liberals 15% to 20% behind the conservatives, not to mention the discontent within his party,” argues the MP Rayes.
“It’s pathetic, it’s the worst end we could have imagined for a prime minister,” concludes Alain Rayes while emphasizing the important issue that Canada will face on January 20 with the entry of Donald Trump as President of the United States.
