Ducharme fires back at Marquis-Bissonnette after Brigil accusations

Taylor Clark

Tensions are flaring between candidates before the official electoral campaign even begins. Independent candidate Yves Ducharme has demanded an apology and retraction after Action Gatineau head Maude Marquis-Bissonnette accused her opponent of still being a lobbyist for Brigil.

The statement was made in an interview with Le Droit where Marquis-Bissonnette was quoted in an April 22 article stating “He still has active mandates on the lobbyist register. Members of his team too.”

The following day, Ducharme issued a press release claiming the assertion was “unfounded and above all false.”

“I have no active mandate in the lobbyist register, for any company. This is also the case for the members of my team,” wrote Ducharme.

While Brigil may still have active mandates with the Ville de Gatineau or other public bodies, Ducharme said all of his terms ended no later than April 9 before launching his campaign seven days later.

“I will not let anyone attack my integrity. Personal and gratuitous attacks, smearing, and disinformation have no place in this campaign,” added Ducharme.

Marquis-Bissonnette addressed the matter the same day with a post to Facebook pointing to the Carrefour Lobby Québec website where Ducharme and one of his campaign members, Roch Cholette, were still listed as active lobbyists for Brigil.

“Afterwards, if Mr. Ducharme takes or has taken steps to put an end to it, so much the better, but that changes absolutely nothing to the basic question: Mr. Ducharme is there to defend whose interests, exactly?” wrote Marquis-Bissonnette.

The party head said the active status has led to confusion and uneasiness around Ducharme’s objectives. Marquis-Bissonnette said developers always seem to have special access to elected officials which was understandable as they played a role in the City’s growth.

"However, at Action Gatineau, we believe, and act, so citizens should have more say in shaping the future of our city because it belongs to them,” said Marquis-Bissonnette. “Ducharme's focus on defending when his last mandate ended, while still being registered as an active lobbyist, instead of prioritizing citizens' interests, is exactly what people are tired of in politics in 2024." 

Photo caption: Independent candidate Yves Ducharme has called for an apology after Action Gatineau head Maude Marquis-Bissonnette claimed Ducharme was still an active lobbyist for Brigil.

Photo credit: Courtesy of candidates