Stéphane Paquet, the president and CEO of Montréal International and former Quebec Delegate General in London, is entering politics with the PQ.
Paquet will be the candidate in the riding of Pointe-aux-Trembles, in Montreal’s East End. The information was first revealed Sunday by La Presse.
Since 2020, Paquet has led Montréal International, an organization that works to attract foreign investment, international organizations, and international workers to Greater Montreal.
Previously, he served as Quebec’s Delegate General in London for two years, from 2012 to 2014.
His career began in the media, where he worked for Radio-Canada, Le Soleil, La Presse, and Les Affaires.
In a press release, the Parti Québécois asserted that Paquet is “a key player in the economic circles of Montreal, but also throughout Quebec.”
“His extensive experience, combined with a deep understanding of the economic issues facing Quebec and Montreal, as well as his broad international network, makes Stéphane Paquet an ideal ally for our SMEs,” said PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
Paquet argues that a “complete overhaul of the economic development model” is necessary.
“This means reducing government assistance to certain companies that are winning big through forgivable loans and subsidies, and allocating those savings to reducing the tax burden for all our SMEs. In other words, we have to put an end to the Fitzgibbon lottery. We’ve lost enough money already,” he declared.
In Pointe-aux-Trembles, Paquet will face, among others, the incumbent MNA, Chantal Rouleau, who is seeking a third term under the Coalition Avenir Québec banner.
Naïma Marylène Indira Som will be the Liberal Party of Quebec candidate, Mégane Charron will represent Québec solidaire, while the Conservative Party of Quebec will field Maxim Tremblay-Gaudet.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
