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QuickSketch: A look at Québec solidaire spokesman Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois

Sep 7, 2022 | 2:01 PM

MONTREAL — Quebec’s general election campaign has begun, with voters heading to the polls on Oct. 3. Here’s a look at Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, the leader of Québec solidaire.

Born: May 31, 1990, in Montreal. 

Early years: Raised in a family of activists in Montreal. His father was an environmentalist and union activist. Nadeau-Dubois was a fan of Star Wars growing up.

Education: Holds a bachelor’s degree in history, culture and society from Université du Québec à Montréal (2015) and a master’s degree in sociology from Université du Québec à Montréal (2017).

Family: Married to Maëlle Desjardins. She gave birth to their first child, Hélène, in March.

Before politics: Known for his role during the 2012 “Maple Spring” when he was one of the leaders of a broad coalition of Quebec student associations protesting tuition fee increases.

Political record: First elected with the left-leaning Québec solidaire in 2017, representing the Montreal riding of Gouin. He has served as co-spokesperson with Manon Massé and last year took over from her as the party’s parliamentary leader. He has strongly opposed Bill 21, which prohibits some public sector workers from wearing religious symbols on the job.

Riding: Gouin (central Montreal)

Quote: “I will not let François Legault transform this election into a debate on Louisiana or immigration. The housing crisis, the cost-of-living crisis, the environment? I think those are the real priorities of Quebecers,” Nadeau-Dubois in 2022 about the language and identity issue in Quebec. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 7, 2022.

The Canadian Press