Alan DeSousa has lost his appeal to be able to run for the federal Liberals in an upcoming byelection in the Saint-Laurent riding.
The longtime mayor of Montreal’s Saint-Laurent borough was hoping to make the jump to federal politics.
READ MORE: Federal Liberals say ‘no’ to would-be candidate in Montreal byelection
“I’m a big boy, I can take the punches. I go into the ring and I take my best shot,” he said.
“Life throws you all kinds of curves and I have no regrets.”
The seat was left vacant when Stephane Dion announced his retirement from politics in January.
Saint-Laurent is a Liberal stronghold, a riding that’s gone red since it was created in 1986.
WATCH BELOW: Alan DeSousa spoke to Global’s Laura Casella about his federal Liberal bid for the riding of Saint-Laurent
DeSousa’s nomination was rejected by the party this week and was once again refused after he appealed the decision.
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“Clearly, my candidacy was not viewed or approved for the nomination process and my name won’t be on the ballot,” he told Global News.
The Liberals issued a statement saying, “the Liberals will have a candidate that is nominated in a manner that is fully in line with all of the party’s rules, with the kind of diligence that Canadians expect from a federal political party.”
The party would not provide more detail.
READ MORE: Yolande James seeks Liberal nomination in Saint-Laurent: ‘diversity matters’tail.
“I can speculate and I can guess,” said DeSousa.
“Many have had theories but I’ll turn the page on that.”
Now, the race will include former Quebec Liberal cabinet minister Yolande James and Marwah Rizqy, a tax law professor.
They have both received the go-ahead to run.
The date of the nomination meeting has not been set.
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