Yves-François Blanchet shaken by Vancouver attack; Bloc candidates dance and sing
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QUEBEC CITY — As Canadians from coast to coast mourned the loss of at least 11 lives in a car attack in Vancouver Sunday morning, Bloc Québécois candidates awaited their leader's visit with singing and dancing in a festive atmosphere.
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The scene took place at the Bloc Québécois' Quebec—Centre riding headquarters, where leader Yves-François Blanchet was about to meet with candidates and volunteers in this battleground where they hope to win the seat of former Liberal cabinet minister Jean-Yves Duclos.
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Led by Montmorency—Charlevoix candidate Caroline Desbiens, who sang traditional Quebec songs, a dozen Quebec volunteers and candidates, including Duclos's opponent, Simon Bérubé, clapped and danced, some joining the singer.
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'C'est décidé, le bleu du Québec nous appelle. Ooohhh c'est décidé, le bleu du Québec nous appelle,' sang Desbiens in one of the songs, which can be translated as 'It's decided, the blue of Quebec is calling us. Ooohhh it's decided, the blue of Quebec is calling us'.
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This morning, in Quebec City. Waiting for their leader @yfblanchet , @BlocQuebecois candidates are very festive. pic.twitter.com/qr5Y95u54Q
— Antoine Trépanier (@atreps) April 27, 2025
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They then enthusiastically welcomed Blanchet in his final lap before election day. The room was filled with dozens of people, the majority of whom did not participate in the singing and dancing.
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'It would be terrible, terrible, for anybody to imply in whatever way that our people lack compassion for those who suffer because we are the end of a campaign,' said Blanchet when asked about his people's behaviour.
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A 30-year-old man is believed to have been the driver of a black SUV that drove eastward into a pedestrian-only area along 43rd Avenue near Fraser Street in Vancouver during Lapu Lapu Day in Vancouver.
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