Québec solidaire leader Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois answers reporters' questions about comments made by MNA Haroun Bouazzi on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Quebec City Legislative Assembly. Co-chair Ruba Ghazal stands beside him. The Canadian Press
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, the co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire (QS), will make a major announcement about his political future on Thursday in Montreal. His upcoming statement has sparked curiosity, especially after his recent absence from the National Assembly.
Nadeau-Dubois has been away from political duties since December due to parental leave. However, on Monday, he shared on social media platform X that he had returned to work. “Back in office today,” he wrote, though he mentioned he would remain in Montreal for family reasons this week. He confirmed he would return to the National Assembly next week.
His announcement comes at a challenging time for QS. On Monday, the party’s candidate in the Terrebonne by-election, Nadia Poirier, suffered a heavy defeat. She received only 4.55% of the vote, a steep drop from the 12.65% she earned in the 2022 general election. The poor performance has raised concerns about the party’s current standing.
QS has faced several setbacks in 2024. In April, Émilise Lessard-Therrien, who was elected as co-spokesperson just months earlier, suddenly resigned. Her departure created internal tensions, particularly regarding Nadeau-Dubois’ leadership style. Many party members expressed frustration over how he handled the situation, adding to the growing unrest.
In November, another controversy shook the party. Haroun Bouazzi, the QS MNA for Maurice-Richard, sparked outrage with comments made at the National Assembly. He claimed he witnessed the “construction of this Other” whose culture was portrayed as “dangerous or inferior” every day at the Assembly. His remarks were seen as divisive. Bouazzi refused to apologize and intensified the situation during a radio interview. His stance caused further splits among party supporters and discomfort among QS MNAs.
With the party facing internal struggles and recent electoral disappointments, Nadeau-Dubois’ upcoming announcement carries significant weight. His future plans could impact the direction of the party, which is trying to recover from its recent setbacks.
Many political observers are eager to see whether Nadeau-Dubois will remain at the helm or consider stepping down. His leadership has been under growing scrutiny, especially after the party’s string of controversies and declining voter support.
As QS tries to rebuild its image and gain back public trust, Nadeau-Dubois’ decision could shape the party’s future. His announcement on Thursday is expected to clarify his intentions and possibly outline the next steps for the party.
