The Suburban couldn’t reach any of the Members of the National Assembly for the Southwest region to get their personal opinions about Bill 14 so that the public could hold them accountable when a vote is held. All of them referred us instead to the Liberal party spokesperson on the issue, Marc Tanguay.
“He’s the spokesman for language and he speaks for everyone in the party,” said Julie, the press secretary for Robert Poëti, the MNA for the Marguerite-Bourgeoys riding. When pressed, she said that if there were a vote today, Poëti would vote against the bill, but that much could be done between now and the spring when a vote will probably take place. “We plan to work between now and then to make amendments to protect English rights and reduce other problems. That’s the position of our caucus and that’s the position he shares.”
“Mr. Ouimet won’t make a comment on the bill,” said Jean Raymond, Marquette MNA Francois Ouimet’s press secretary. “They have a rule at the assembly that Mr. Ouimet can give no opinion on any bill. He must be neutral.”
Henri-Francois Gautrin, the MNA for Verdun was out of town until we went to press, but his press secretary also referred us to Marc Tanguay.
Note: This article appeared on p 7 of the city edition of the Suburban on Wednesday, December 19.
