Vincent Marissal has decided to step down from his candidacy with the Parti Québécois in the Taschereau riding following allegations of breaching ethics, as announced by Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon on Wednesday. This development comes shortly after Marissal, who had been an Independent after leaving Québec Solidaire, was chosen as the candidate for a riding that traditionally supported the PQ.
St-Pierre Plamondon stated on social media that while he believes in inclusivity, he also emphasized a zero-tolerance policy regarding ethical issues and the use of public funds. Allegations arose that Marissal used an online home-exchange platform to swap his Quebec City apartment, funded by a National Assembly housing allowance, for free accommodation abroad. Although there was no monetary exchange, this arrangement still provided Marissal with a significant financial benefit derived from taxpayer funds.
The leader highlighted that this situation contradicts the party’s ethics code, which strictly prohibits personal gains from National Assembly allowances. Despite his respect for Marissal, St-Pierre Plamondon declared that the Parti Québécois must adhere to its principles without exceptions. A replacement candidate for Taschereau will be announced by the party on Thursday.
Marissal’s departure from Québec Solidaire last year was not without controversy, as he was suspended from the caucus for engaging in discussions with the PQ about potentially running for them in the upcoming election. Marissal clarified that his decision to leave QS was voluntary and later confirmed he would not participate in the next election. St-Pierre Plamondon, in a previous statement, mentioned that Marissal had been his desk neighbor in the Blue Room at the National Assembly for the past four years.