Nathalie Normandeau (born May 8, 1968 in Maria, Quebec) is a Quebec politician. She was MNA for the riding of Bonaventure in the Gaspésie region between 1998 and 2011. She was also Deputy Premier and a member of the Quebec Liberal Party.
Nathalie Normandeau | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Deputy Premier of Quebec | |
| In office 2007–2011 | |
| Premier | Jean Charest |
| Preceded by | Jacques Dupuis |
| Succeeded by | Line Beauchamp |
| Member of the National Assembly of Quebec for Bonaventure | |
| In office December 15, 1998 – September 6, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Marcel Landry |
| Succeeded by | Damien Arsenault |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 8, 1968 Maria, Quebec |
| Political party | Quebec Liberal Party |
| Cabinet | Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources And Wildlife |
Biography edit
Normandeau attended the Université Laval in the early 1990s and obtained a bachelor's degree in political science and a certificate in African studies. While at university, she worked in the Quebec Premier's Office as a public relations officer and a secretary. She was elected mayor of the small Gaspésie town of Maria where she grew up, and held office from 1992 to 1995. She actively participated as a member of several local groups in the region.
Normandeau entered provincial politics in 1998 and was elected as the MNA for Bonaventure. She became the opposition critic for natural resources, fisheries and regions.
In 2003, when Jean Charest's Liberals defeated the Parti Québécois, Normandeau was re-elected for a second term and was named the Minister for regional development and tourism as well as the Minister responsible for the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region. Following a cabinet shuffle in 2005, she was promoted to the position of Municipal Affairs replacing Jean-Marc Fournier who became the Education Minister.
She was re-elected in 2007 to become the new Deputy Premier and one of the prominent forces of the new minority government . She retained her position as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions and Minister for her region.
On April 23, 2009, Normandeau admitted to dating François Bonnardel, a member of the opposition Action démocratique du Québec (ADQ) caucus. Normandeau said Premier Charest was aware of the relationship and had no problem with it.[1]
During a cabinet shuffle, Normandeau was named the Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife succeeding Claude Béchard who was named the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Laurent Lessard inherited the municipal affairs portfolio.[2]
On September 6, 2011, she announced her resignation as minister and member of the National Assembly, citing personal reasons. She has been romantically involved with former Montreal Police Chief Yvan Delorme.[3][4]
Corruption Arrest edit
In April 2012, Normandeau was the subject of a Radio-Canada report over alleged ties to a construction industry executive while a cabinet minister.[5]
In April 2014, UPAC investigation involves Normandeau in Liberal Party obscure financing [6]
In March 2016, she is arrested by the UPAC, Quebec's anti-corruption unit, over illegal campaign financing. She was charged on six counts, including corruption, of a member of the legislature, fraud and bribery.[7]
In September 2020, a judge dropped the charges due to unreasonable delays by the prosecution.[8]
References edit
- ^ "Quebec deputy premier admits relationship with opposition member". CBC News. April 23, 2009. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
- ^ "Remaniement ministériel : jeu de chaise musicale à Québec"[usurped]. LCN, June 23, 2009.
- ^ "Quebec's deputy premier resigns". CBC News. September 6, 2011. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
- ^ "Normandeau sixth minister to quit Quebec cabinet since Liberals re-elected". The Globe and Mail. September 6, 2011. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
- ^ Philip Authier (April 13, 2012). "Electoral office launches its own corruption investigation". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ Paul Cherry (April 16, 2014). "Former Liberal MNA Normandeau target of investigation". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- ^ "Nathalie Normandeau, ex-Quebec deputy premier, arrested by UPAC". CBC News. March 17, 2016.
- ^ "Four years after her arrest, proceedings dropped against Nathalie Normandeau". Montreal Gazette. September 25, 2020.
External links edit
- "Biography". Dictionnaire des parlementaires du Québec de 1792 à nos jours (in French). National Assembly of Quebec.
