Ruba Ghazal has been an integral part of Québec solidaire (QS) since its inception in 2006. Fast forward twenty years, and she is now at the forefront of the party, leading them into the upcoming October 5th election, despite trailing in the polls.
Ghazal’s dedication to QS is unwavering. She once famously declared, “My party is tattooed on my heart,” showcasing her deep-rooted commitment to the cause.
One of the founding members alongside Françoise David and Amir Khadir, Ghazal played a pivotal role in the party’s emergence at a convention held at the Université de Montréal in February 2006.
After initial attempts to secure a seat in the Montreal riding of Laurier-Dorion in 2007 and 2008, Ghazal finally made her breakthrough in the 2018 general election, representing QS in Mercier on the Island of Montreal. She was successfully re-elected in 2022.
Her journey to becoming the party’s female co-spokesperson had its own challenges, but Ghazal’s perseverance paid off when she was appointed as the leader of QS in the fall of 2024. This further led to her nomination as the party’s premier candidate, granting her the opportunity to participate in the leaders’ debate during the election campaign.
Ghazal’s political inspiration stems from figures like Françoise David, whose feminist leadership deeply resonated with her. She fondly recalls being inspired by David’s speeches in the 1990s, setting the stage for her own political aspirations.
Originally from Lebanon and raised in Montreal and Laval, Ghazal’s upbringing was marked by her parents’ aversion to politics due to the associations with fear and conflict. Despite this, Ghazal pursued a career that led her to the National Assembly, drawing on her background in various industries, including health, safety, and environmental advisory roles.
With a strong academic background in business administration and environmental studies, Ghazal refutes the misconception that QS lacks interest in entrepreneurship. Drawing from her father’s experience as a shopkeeper running a dollar store in Montreal, Ghazal understands the sacrifices and realities of entrepreneurship firsthand.
In a reflective essay published in the fall of 2025, titled “Les gens du pays viennent aussi d’ailleurs” (The people of the country also come from elsewhere), Ghazal delves into her immigrant experience and integration in Quebec, highlighting her advocacy for independence.
