Michel Gauthier seeking Conservative Party nomination in Pontiac

Michel Gauthier seeking Conservative Party nomination in Pontiac

The Conservative Party’s candidate for the Pontiac riding in the 2021 federal election is seeking to represent the party in the next one. Michel Gauthier is the former editor of the French-language daily newspaper Le Droit, and announced his candidacy for the nomination on February 19.

Gauthier said that one of the biggest issues facing the Pontiac region was the recently approved “near surface disposal facility” at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ Chalk River site.

He also spoke about the differences between Conservative leader Pierre Polievre and former leader Erin O’Toole, who was the head of the party when Gauthier last sought election. He called O’Toole a “soft politician” and spoke favorably of how Polievre is more “aggressive”.

He said that the timing of the nomination process is in the hands of the Conservative Party, but he anticipated that it would be taking place sooner rather than later. While the current federal government’s mandate doesn’t end until fall 2025, an election could be called earlier if the supply and confidence agreement between the Liberals and the NDP ends.

In the 2021 election, Gauthier finished second with 20.6% of the vote, behind Liberal Sophie Chatel, who finished with 43.2%.

The full interview with Gauthier (12m10) is available here.