By Raquel Fletcher
MarieChantal Chassé’s short-lived political career was not an easy one: the former environment minister, relegated to the backbenches early on in the CAQ’s mandate was publicly ridiculed for her apparent lack of confidence when speaking with the media.
In an emotional and moving speech last week in the house, she said goodbye to her colleagues and her constituents. She is one of more than a dozen women MNAs who have announced they will not be seeking re-election, a number of whom are doing so after only serving one term. Politics is, after all, a nasty business.
Chassé’s final address, however, was surprisingly positive:
“I began this adventure with courage, with audacity and with a lot, a lot of enthusiasm. And I found myself at that moment with the file of the utmost importance for humanity… For my children, I couldn’t say no,” she said.
When things did not go as planned, she explained, she got back up, also for her children, three daughters, and set out to rebuild her credibility one person at a time.
“I also got up again for women because I want them to believe that we can be daring, that we can take leaps in the dark, take leaps ahead, that we can trip, get up and end up stronger through it all,” she said, before delivering her powerful clincher:
“I hope with all my heart that my journey will not deter other women from daring to make these leaps… We are often hesitant, perfectionist, we are never good enough. I say to women, I have a responsibility to say to you: ‘Go, girl, go!’ Prove to me, girls, that the fact that I got up again inspires you, dares you to take chances – that my journey helps you to believe even more in yourselves.”
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