Léo Bureau-Blouin confirms PQ candidacy
CBC News
Posted: Jul 25, 2012 12:03 PM ET
Last Updated: Jul 25, 2012 5:44 PM ET
Léo Bureau-Blouin, 20, is the new Parti Quebecois candidate for Laval-des-Rapides. (CBC)
Former student movement leader Léo Bureau-Blouin joined with Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois on Wednesday to make his candidacy official in the riding of Laval-des-Rapides.
Bureau-Blouin, 20, announced his PQ candidacy via his Twitter and Facebook accounts Tuesday evening but took the official step on Wednesday.
When asked why he would be going into politics at such a young age, he said, "Quebecers from 18 to 24 represent 10 per cent of Quebec electorates but none of them are represented at the national assembly."
Marois praised Bureau-Blouin's efforts during his time as president of the Quebec's College Student Federation [FECQ], calling upon his "good sense and intelligence."
The PQ leader was not shy to announce that she will rely on Bureau-Blouin to mobilize young voters in the upcoming election.
Bureau-Blouin updated his Facebook profile Tuesday night, labelling himself as a candidate for that riding.
During the height of the student strikes, a poll found that Bureau-Blouin had the highest approval rating of anyone involved, dwarfing Premier Jean Charest.
Charest said the decision is telling of the party's position.
"This only associates very clearly Pauline Marois with the extremism of the student movement," he told reporters at the national assembly.
Junior Finance Minister Alain Paquet currently holds the Laval-des-Rapides riding, narrowly beating the PQ candidate in the last two elections.
He said he's not intimidated by Bureau-Blouin's high profile.
"In the end, the citizens will make the choice not on the presumed 'starness' of someone, but on the true convictions and true values and propositions for the riding," he said.
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