Political vacancies in Ottawa-Vanier have candidates mulling a run
Resignation of MPP Madeleine Meilleur, death of MP Mauril Bélanger leave 2 vacancies
It's a political rarity but the riding of Ottawa-Vanier is without both an MP and an MPP. By-elections have yet to be called, but some potential candidates are admitting they are at least considering a run for office.
The first vacancy came when Madeleine Meilleur, long time Liberal MPP and attorney general, resigned in June ahead of a cabinet reshuffle. The second occurred last month, when Liberal MP Mauril Bélanger — who won seven consecutive elections after his initial win in a 1995 by-election — died after a 10-month battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gherig's disease.
Two possible federal candidate for the Liberals and one for the NDP say commuting to Queen's Park isn't an option for them for family reasons — but they are weighing their options to fill the empty seat on Parliament Hill.
Mathieu Fleury, the second-term Ottawa councillor for Rideau-Vanier, says since his recent marriage, plans to start a family means juggling life between Ottawa and Toronto isn't an option. But he didn't rule out running as MP.
"We'll see, The funeral was last weekend and we have no information on the nomination process or when this by-election will be held, so I will hold my comments and continue the reflection on that front," Fleury said. "It's not a no. I certainly love what I'm doing but I'll look at all options."
'Unfinished business' for Emilie Taman
Catherine Fortin LeFaivre — one of Fleury's rivals in the 2014 municipal race — is also considering putting her name forward for the federal Liberal nomination in Ottawa-Vanier.
In an interview with Radio-Canada in French, she said says she's been approached by federal Liberals to run for the nomination. She's thinking about, but says she enjoys her job working as a consultant on housing and women's issues in Ottawa — for now.
Another possible candidate for the federal contest in Ottawa-Vanier is Emilie Taman who says she's "strongly considering" running again for the NDP. Bélanger handily beat her in last fall's federal election but another run would be "taking care of unfinished business," she said.
"In the context of the very large number of promises this government has made, it's particularly important that the government is held to do what it said it would do, and that's important to the people of Ottawa Vanier.
According to Elections Canada rules, the federal government must announce a date for a by-election by Feb. 19, 2017.