Conservatives drop Quebec candidate for accusing Polytechnique survivor of exploiting shooting

The Conservative Party of Canada has dropped a Quebec candidate after he harshly criticized Liberal candidate and Polytechnique shooting survivor Nathalie Provost online.

Simon Payette will no longer be running for the CPC in the Berthier—Maskinongé riding, a spokesperson for the party confirmed in an email. 

“This individual’s conduct is completely inappropriate, and cannot be excused,” states Sam Lilly. “He will not be a candidate.”

In one of several social media posts and comments, Payette accused Provost, an advocate for stricter gun laws, for using the tragedy to “grease the palms of anti-gun extremists.”

The Berthier—Maskinongé riding is just northeast of Montreal, while Provost is running for election in the Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville riding.

In an interview with Radio-Canada on Friday, Payette defended himself.

“Everyone is shouting loudly that there are supposedly lobbyists for firearms, but there are lobbyists on the other side too and no one is talking about that,” said Payette.

This is at least the fifth candidate the party has dropped as the April 28 election nears, and the second in Quebec this week.

On Tuesday, Stefan Marquis announced on X that he is no longer a candidate in the Montreal riding of Laurier-Sainte-Marie due to recent posts he made on the social media platform.

The CPC confirmed that Marquis was no longer a candidate, but declined to provide a reason.

Marquis has made several posts and comments relating to conspiracy theories on subjects such as COVID-19, vaccines, the World Economic Forum and the invasion of Ukraine.