Bloc Québécois

Mario Beaulieu

 

Mario Beaulieu, a Québécois nationalist, is the current leader of the federal political party, BLOC Québécois. He was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec on February 1, 1959, and is now 56 years old. Mario declared candidacy for the position in April 2014 and assumed office on June 25, 2014. Before this, he had never been a Member of Parliament or a member of Quebec’s National Assembly. In 1997 he ran for Member of Parliament for Papineau Saint-Denis, but was unsuccessful. Then from 1997 to 2002 he was President of Parti Québécois’s riding association in Montreal Centre. Later on he was head of the nationalist St. Jean Baptiste Society of Montreal from 2009 to 2014, this was his last job before his position as leader of BLOC Québécois.

 

Mario Beaulieu’s beliefs and interests differ from those of the last two leaders, Gilles Duceppe and Daniel Paillé. He primary focus is Quebec sovereignty, meaning a state or governing body has the right and power to govern itself without interference from outside sources. He promotes the separation of Quebec from the rest of Canada in order to preserve the French language and culture. Mario publicly expresses his passion for Quebec independence and many do not support him. His actions have not only caused a loss of support, but also caused two members of his own party to vow to resign.