Québec solidaire members stunned by Vincent Marissal’s abrupt departure

The left-wing Québec solidaire party is reeling from the abrupt departure over the weekend of a legislature member who had been flirting with the Parti Québécois.

Vincent Marissal announced on Saturday he was leaving Québec solidaire, shortly after the party voted to suspend him from caucus for having talks with PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.

Get breaking National news

Québec solidaire legislature member Alexandre Leduc said today he’s stunned by Marissal’s departure and doesn’t recognize who his former colleague has become.

In lengthy messages on social media, fellow party members Guillaume Cliche-Rivard and Étienne Grandmont said they felt betrayed.

Marissal has said he was leaving Québec solidaire in part because of the staunchly pro-union position it adopted during the recent Montreal public transit strike.

• Carney, Modi agree to revive comprehensive trade deal talks
• Some Yoplait YOP drinkable yogurt recalled in Canada due to plastic pieces

But Leduc accused his former colleague of flip-flopping, pointing out that Marissal in June voted against provincial legislation limiting the right to strike.

Marissal is now an Independent, leaving Québec solidaire with 11 seats in the legislature.

• U.S. senators say tariffs causing ‘cultural break’ in relations with Canada
• Canada, G7 security ministers pledge to fight organized crime together
• Ontario plans to require bail cash up front as part of new justice bill
• Carney says U.S. peace plan for Ukraine needs ‘more work’; expert calls it a ‘disaster’

• JD Vance says Canada’s immigration ‘insanity’ caused lower living standards
• Dave Hayer’s perspective on the current extortion threats
• City of Burnaby holding public hearings on implementing B.C. housing mandates
• Carney says ‘constructive’ talks ongoing with Alberta about oil pipeline through B.C.