Sherbrooke MNA Christine Labrie won't run in next election
Sherbrooke MNA Christine Labrie announced on Saturday morning that she will not be seeking re-election at the end of her term.
In a message posted on social media, Labrie said her hope for change has 'become too fragile' and she feels 'cynical' about what she sees in the National Assembly.
'Partisan politics are exhausting me, and I don't want to let that happen. I have to leave. I need to go and find my hope elsewhere before it dies out. I'm sure you will understand,' Labrie wrote.
The Québec Solidaire (QS) MNA thanked voters for their renewed confidence over the past seven years.
'I will do everything I can to honour it until the end of my term, and then I will look for other ways to get involved in advancing the social project that you have seen me carry out since the beginning. I am sure I will find a way, because politics is not the only way to change things, as you show me every day,' Labrie said.
QS co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal thanked abrie for her work within the party, while emphasising that she 'shares the sadness of Solidaire members across Quebec.'
'You have been a driving force in all our struggles, a valuable ally on all our issues and a strong voice on the issues that were close to both our hearts, such as education and women's rights,' Ghazal wrote on social media, addressing Labrie.
Labrie was first elected as representative for the Sherbrooke riding in 2018. During her years with QS, she served as spokesperson for the second opposition group on women's issues, education and family matters.
With a master's degree in history and a doctorate in women's studies from the University of Ottawa, Labrie was a lecturer at the University of Sherbrooke before her election to the National Assembly.
Her announcement comes a few months after the party's former co-spokesperson, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, stepped down.
Nadeau-Dubois had been confronted with the surprise resignation of Émilise Lessard-Therrien. The former female spokesperson and MNA for Rouyn-Noranda-Témiscamingue had slammed the door, citing her inability to bring about change in the party.
Labrie had run for co-spokesperson, competing against hazal and Lessard-Therrien, who won the race.
Labrie served as interim co-spokesperson after Lessard-Therrien's resignation, before Ghazal took office.
A QS press officer said on Saturday that Labrie would not be giving any interviews about her departure until Monday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French June 7, 2025.
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