Voters in Montreal’s West Island riding of Jacques-Cartier will find something familiar with the Quebec Liberal Party’s candidate for the upcoming provincial election.
His name is Greg Kelley.
He’s the son of outgoing Liberal Member of National Assembly Geoff Kelley, formerly the province’s minister of native affairs, who’s retiring from politics. Now the junior Kelley hopes to make his own statement.
“Once people get to know me, they’ll know that I’m a different person,” he said, “and I’m part of another generation and I’m part of a new leadership group. So I think it just comes down to retail politics — getting out there and meeting people.”
Kelley has a masters’ degree in public administration and has worked for the government. Last year, he was named the province’s Anglophone liaison.
Jacques-Cartier is considered a safe riding for the Liberals, where the party overwhelming defeated the CAQ in the last election. Residents who spoke to Global News said they don’t mind the son replacing the father.
The other candidate is Jennifer Maccarone, formerly president of the Quebec English School Boards Association, who will run in the riding of Westmount–St.-Louis. Premier Philippe Couillard said it was a priority to have an Anglophone run in the riding.
“I decided a couple of years ago that we had to be much more active and involved with English-speaking Quebecers,” Couillard said.
Maccarone is replacing MNA Jacques Chagnon, who is also retiring. She fought against Bill 86, the Liberals’ now-defunct plan to get rid of English school board elections.
There are certain issues that are a priority for her.
She says she’ll consult with citizens but thinks Anglophones want to be respected.
As for the Premier, he says he wants the province’s Anglophones to be heard.
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