Political fantasy: Quebec erotic boutique reserves name on election website

Ruel told The Canadian Press in an interview the ploy has nothing to do with politics and that it is has never been the company’s intention to form a real party.

“What we’re really doing is a marketing campaign to promote the sexual health of men and women via home presentations throughout Quebec,” Ruel said, adding organizers decided to push that initiative to the limit by reserving a party name.

Such a move is largely an administrative procedure that allows a name to be set aside for up to six months, as long as it doesn’t include the word “independent” or create any confusion with respect to an existing party.

According to Elections Quebec, before presenting a political party application for authorization, some entities elect to reserve a name.

Parti rose Eros is not included on the list of recognized political provincial parties, which Ruel says is fine.

“We will not sit in the national assembly and there will be no vote for the Parti rose,” she said.

A Facebook page says the mission of Parti rose Eros is “the emancipation and promotion of women’s sexual health.”

However, the page in question, which has about 500 followers, serves mainly as a platform for promotional contests where visitors can win erotic toys.

In one post, visitors are invited to like and share a post pitting a female candidate named “Dr. G-Spot” versus Gaetan Barrette, the current health minister and Liberal party candidate, for a chance to win a vibrator valued at $49.99 or underwear.

There’s even a reference to Premier Philippe Couillard on its pages, but Ruel insists the goal isn’t to ridicule the democratic process.

“We don’t have the goal of destroying anyone’s reputation, far from it,” Ruel said. “We do not want to denigrate political parties, we even want voters to vote in the next election.”

The party’s website also features candidates and even a series of fictional potential cabinet posts like a future “minister of energy and natural pleasures” and a minister of the “perfect body” who promises “stereotypes will fall and that every scar will inspire the beauty of the body.”

The website also serves mainly as an advertising tool for the chain of stores and offers an in-store discount to users who send suggestions for election promises.

Julie St-Arnaud Drolet, a spokeswoman for Quebec’s chief electoral office, says it wasn’t aware of the advertising campaign’s erotic flavour but that it will take a closer look at the situation.

For her part, Ruel said her employer checked with the chief electoral officer to ensure all the rules were being followed.

However, during the campaign period, such efforts could be deemed illegal. An election expense must be authorized by an official agent. An election expense directly or indirectly favouring or harming a candidate or party cannot be done by a third party.

The chief electoral officer will investigate, St-Arnaud Drolet said, adding that sanctions could vary from a simple warning, with an eye to educating about the electoral system, to a fine if the law is not being respected.

The election campaign is expected to be officially launched at the end of August, with Quebecers going to the polls Oct. 1.

Ugo Giguere, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Political fantasy: Quebec erotic boutique reserves name on election website

Pro Tips