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Québec Solidaire has expelled Vincent Marissal from its caucus, a move Marissal insists was his own decision.
He told reporters Saturday morning that he had already “firmly” decided to leave the party, wishing to announce it on Wednesday.
“They are expelling someone who has left,” he said. “I have been suffering for some time now.”
In a news release sent by Québec Solidaire (QS) prior to Marissal’s announcement, the party stated that its MNA for the Rosemont riding had begun discussions with Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of the Parti Québécois (PQ), and that he wished to run under PQ’s banner in the 2026 provincial election.
“According to our information, these discussions have been going on for several weeks and negotiations with the Parti Québécois were close to completion,” read Québec Solidaire’s release.
“We cannot accept that a member of our party would secretly plan the next step in his political career while continuing to sit among us. This is a breach of trust.”
Prior to Marissal’s news conference, the party had scheduled a caucus meeting for Sunday morning, but unexpectedly moved it to Saturday morning. Members unanimously confirmed the sanction to suspend him.
Marissal slams QS on several points
Marissal confirmed that he had approached the PQ and had discussions with St-Pierre Plamondon, but explained that he would sit as an independent “until further notice.”
“I think we need to block the Liberals, I think we need to kick the [Coalition Avenir Québec] out, I’m no longer with QS and I won’t be joining the Conservatives, so do the math,” he said, although not officially confirming whether he would join the Parti Québécois.
Sol Zanetti and Ruba Ghazal’s leadership was criticized by Vincent Marissal. (The Canadian Press)
During his news conference, Marissal criticized QS on several fronts.
“There is a phenomenal distance between the caucus and its militant base, especially for a guy like me who is centre-left and tries to do positive politics,” he said.
He added that he had “profound disagreements” with the current party leadership.
He said although he really appreciates Sol Zanetti and believes Ruba Ghazal is a “woman who works extremely hard,” they weren’t his choice to become co-spokespeople for the party.
Marissal also described an increasingly “aggressive” tone and “vicious” attacks at QS.
But he said his last straw was the party’s reaction to the Montreal transit strikes this month — which he described as “strictly unionist.”
“We were the only ones, the only party to resolutely side with union members and the unions. I do it occasionally … but in this case, I think we were on the wrong side of history. People were suffering in Montreal,” said Marissal.
“[Montreal transit users] felt we had abandoned them, and I believe we did abandon them in that position.”
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of the Parti Québec, reacted to the news on X Saturday afternoon. (Ivanoh Demers/Radio-Canada)
Marissal added that other factors contributed to his decision to leave Québec Solidaire, including Zanetti’s appointment and the party’s reaction to MNA Haroun Bouazzi’s statement on racism and the portrayal of ethnic and cultural groups at the National Assembly.
He felt he had to leave as Québec Solidaire had decided to keep Bouazzi in the caucus.
For now, Marissal — who has been the MNA for Québec Solidaire in the Rosemont riding since 2018 and elected twice — said he will “take a step back.”
His former party will hold a news conference Saturday afternoon.
Plamondon reacted to the news on X, stating that Marissal had already informed him of his “increasingly intolerable discomfort” within QS.
“We haven’t agreed on anything specific with regard to the Parti Québécois, other than the fact that he would sit as an independent and that we would continue to talk,” he wrote.
“I take note that he wishes to continue serving in politics.”