Simon Payette is no longer running as the Conservative candidate in the Berthier—Maskinongé area, a party spokesperson confirmed in an email. CBC
A Liberal candidate, Nathalie Provost, called out Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre for not speaking against shocking comments made by Conservative candidate Simon Payette. Provost said Payette accused her of playing the "victim game" because of her support for stronger gun laws.
The Conservative Party removed Payette as a candidate late Friday. This move comes just days before the April 7 deadline for candidates to file nomination papers.
“This individual’s conduct is completely inappropriate, and cannot be excused,” said party spokesperson Sam Lilly. “He will not be a candidate.”
Provost survived the Ecole Polytechnique massacre in 1989. A gunman targeting feminists killed 14 women and injured many others. Since then, Provost has become a well-known voice for gun control and is now running as a Liberal candidate.
She said Payette’s remarks deeply offended her and disrespected the memory of her classmates. “I have no words to describe correctly how I feel,” she said. “I cannot understand how those people who are running be MPs can make such remarks and think that they will be able to represent Canadians in the House of Commons.”
Payette posted several comments on Provost’s Facebook page in French. He taunted her and dared her to join him in a live debate. In one comment, he said he would tear up Bill C-21 — the gun control law passed by the Liberals — right in front of her in Parliament if the Conservatives win.
He also said he would use the torn bill as toilet paper in Parliament every time he went to the bathroom. “It will be uncomfortable but I will do it to bring justice to all the country’s sport shooters,” he wrote in French.
Provost is running in the Chateauguay – Les Jardins-de-Napierville area. Payette was trying to run in Berthier – Maskinongé, which is in the Mauricie region.
Bill C-21 became law in 2023. It banned new handgun sales, made penalties for gun trafficking stricter, and added more rules to reduce gun violence. While many supported the bill, the Conservatives and gun owners strongly opposed it. They said it punished legal gun owners without solving real issues.
Payette isn’t the only candidate dropped recently. Both the Liberals and Conservatives have let go of others this week for controversial remarks.
The Liberals dropped Paul Chiang after he joked about turning a rival over to Chinese officials for a reward. The Conservatives removed Mark McKenzie, who had once joked about executing Justin Trudeau. Another candidate, Stefan Marquis, had posted online that NATO expansion caused Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Candidates have until April 7 to submit their nomination forms. After that, parties cannot replace them on the ballot.
Payette could not be reached for comment on Friday.
