Élaine Michaud (born October 17, 1985) is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 2011 election.[1] She represented the Quebec electoral district of Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier as a member of the New Democratic Party. She was defeated in 2015 by Joël Godin of the Conservative Party.

Élaine Michaud
Member of Parliament
for Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier
In office
May 2, 2011 – August 4, 2015
Preceded byAndré Arthur
Succeeded byJoël Godin
Personal details
Born (1985-10-17) October 17, 1985 (age 39)
Longueuil, Quebec, Canada
Political partyNew Democratic Party
ProfessionInformation agent

Biography

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At the time of her election, she was a communications officer at the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec and a masters student at the École nationale d'administration publique.[2]

Michaud won with 42.7% of the vote, defeating incumbent independent MP André Arthur by a margin of 7,793 votes. After the election, Arthur insulted her, saying he did not know what he could have said to people in his riding to avoid being beaten by a "fat girl with unclean teeth."[3] Michaud responded saying that the comments reflected Arthur's "well-known pettiness" and stating she intended to "do politics differently."[4]

Among Michaud's issues in the 41st Parliament were the issue of contaminated water in Shannon, Quebec, near the Valcartier military base in her riding[5] and public opposition to the construction of Neuville Airport.[6]

During the 41st Parliament, Michaud served as a member of the House Committees on Environment and Sustainable Development and Official Languages, and an associate member of the Committees on Finance, National Defence, and Veterans Affairs.[7]

In the 2012 NDP leadership race following the death of Jack Layton, Michaud supported Peggy Nash.[8] Michaud was defeated in the 2015 election by Conservative Joël Godin.

Following her defeat, Michaud stood for the presidency of the NDP after criticizing the leadership of Thomas Mulcair.[9] Michaud was defeated by Toronto District School Board trustee Marit Stiles.

Electoral history

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2015 Canadian federal election: Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Joël Godin 27,290 43.97 +16.2 $71,670.38
New Democratic Élaine Michaud 13,686 22.05 -20.6 $76,976.38
Liberal David Gauvin 13,322 21.47 +14.9 $48,792.76
Bloc Québécois Raymond Harvey 6,665 10.74 -9.8 $11,313.73
Green Johanne Morin 1,096 1.77 -0.6
Total valid votes/expense limit 62,059 100.0     $227,576.17
Total rejected ballots 781 1.39
Turnout 62,840 72.33
Eligible voters 86,884
Conservative gain from New Democratic Swing +18.4*
Source: Elections Canada[10][11]
  • Swing is taken from André Arthur, an independent candidate supported by the Conservatives in the last election.
2011 Canadian federal election: Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Élaine Michaud 22,387 42.7 +30.0
Independent André Arthur 14,594 27.8 -5.8
Bloc Québécois Richard Côté 10,745 20.5 -11.5
Liberal Réjean Thériault 3,463 6.6 -9.7
Green Claudine Delorme 1,279 2.4 -1.2
Total valid votes/expense limit 52,468 100.0
Total rejected ballots 946 1.8 -0.6
Turnout 53,414 66.2 +5.4
Eligible voters 80,694

References

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  1. ^ Election 2011: Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier. The Globe and Mail, May 2, 2011.
  2. ^ Tamsin McMahon (4 May 2011). "The REALLY New Democrats". National Post. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  3. ^ Matthieu Boivin (7 July 2011). "André Arthur ridiculise son successeur, Élaine Michaud". Le Soleil (in French). Retrieved 21 February 2012. «Je sais pas ce que j'aurais pu faire pour empêcher les gens de voter pour une grosse fille qui a les dents pas propres.»
  4. ^ Matthieu Boivin. "André Arthur ridiculise son successeur, Élaine Michaud". Le Soleil (in French). «Si je me suis lancée en politique, c'était pour faire de la politique autrement.[...] Ces commentaires de M. Arthur reflètent la mesquinerie qu'on lui connaît.»
  5. ^ Denise Paquin (22 June 2012). "Eau à Shannon: Michaud déçue du jugement". Courrier de Portneuf (in French). Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  6. ^ Raymond Giroux (23 June 2012). "Un cas pointu pour Élaine Michaud". Le Soleil (in French). Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Member of Parliament Profile (Current): Élaine Michaud." Parliament of Canada. Accessed 26 June 2012.
  8. ^ "Two more Quebec MPs step out to endorse Peggy Nash for NDP leadership". Peggynash.ca. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  9. ^ [In French] St. Pierre, Guillaume. "Élaine Michaud brigue la présidence du NPD," Journal de Montreal, March 24, 2016.
  10. ^ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, 30 September 2015
  11. ^ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
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