Local MNA says work more important than possible elections

In an interview with The Chronicle, Jacques Cartier MNA Geoffrey Kelley repeated his call to have recently retired NDG MNA Russel Copeman replaced by an anglophone candidate for the Liberals, and placed an emphasis on his work as MNA over any possible preparations for much speculated-upon provincial elections.

"(The National Assembly) should represent the society that it's governing," Kelley said. Since Copeman represented a primary anglophone riding, it is only fair the Liberals choose a candidate who is anglophone, he continued.

With Copeman retired, only three anglophone MNAs remain in the Liberal caucus, including Kelley. However, he said identifying people by the language they speak is not necessarily easy. "These labels are a little hard to attach," he said, pointing out his colleague Gerry Sklavounos, who is perfectly anglophone but not necessarily identified as one of the three, as he is associated to the Greek community due to his origins.

Kelley said the appointment of an anglophone candidate in NDG would help fight the unwarranted perception the Liberals take the anglophone vote for granted in Quebec.

"Traditionally the Liberal Party does well for the anglophone community," Kelley said. "I look at all the work that we all do," he said. "I have an appreciation of the important role that school boards play in Quebec," he said as an example.

With Radio-Canada citing "senior Liberal sources" in reports at the beginning of this week that an election will be called for December 8, Kelley said it was more important for him to keep doing his work as MNA than react to rumours.

"I won't let myself get distracted," he said, although he added he would be ready if an election were called.

Yolande James, another local anglophone MNA and Minister of Cultural communities, did not return phone calls to The Chronicle.

Local riding associations for the Action Démocratique du Québec and the Parti Québecois did not return phone calls or e-mails for comment.