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those aren't weasel words, they were reported in the source
It's excessive detail, and highlighting it in this context effectively makes it "weasel words." That it's verifiable isn't the issue; verifiability is a sufficient rather than a necessary condition for inclusion.
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On May 6, Brosseau gave her first interview since being elected, with ''[[Le Nouvelliste (Quebec)|Le Nouvelliste]]'' of [[Trois-Rivières]]. Brosseau acknowledged that she had not expected to be elected and that she had not been to her new riding, but planned to go there soon.<ref name="GM"/> The ''[[Globe and Mail]]'' noted that the interview was conducted "almost entirely in English."<ref name="GM"/><ref name="NP"/> Earlier, the NDP sent an automated telephone message introducing Brosseau to her new constituents, in which she spoke in "rehearsed and passable French".<ref name="GM">{{cite news|title=NDP's Brosseau admits she's never been to riding, but excited to go soon|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ndps-brosseau-admits-shes-never-been-to-riding-but-excited-to-go-soon/article2013962/|newspaper=Globe and Mail|date=05-07-11}}</ref><ref name="NP">{{cite news|last=News|first=PostMedia|title=Controversial NDP MP Brosseau admits she’s never visited her Quebec riding|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/07/controversial-ndp-mp-brosseau-admits-she%E2%80%99s-never-visited-her-quebec-riding/|newspaper=National Post|date=05-07-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ruth Ellen Brosseau s'adresse à ses électeurs|url=http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/201105/07/01-4397258-ruth-ellen-brosseau-sadresse-a-ses-electeurs.php|newspaper=La Presse|date=05-07-11}}</ref> She said that she was shocked by her election after agreeing to have her name placed on the ballot as a favour to the party. “It was just symbolic,” she said. “I was approached to put my name on a ballot but I was a supporter of the NDP for many years.” However, she added that she is excited by the opportunity to serve in parliament and is trying to improve her French so that she can be fluently bilingual.<ref>{{cite news|title=NDP’s Brosseau admits she’s never been to riding|url=http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/987619--ndp-s-brosseau-admits-she-s-never-been-to-riding?bn=1/|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=05-07-11}}</ref>
On May 6, Brosseau gave her first interview since being elected, with ''[[Le Nouvelliste (Quebec)|Le Nouvelliste]]'' of [[Trois-Rivières]]. Brosseau acknowledged that she had not expected to be elected and that she had not been to her new riding, but planned to go there soon.<ref name="GM"/> The ''[[Globe and Mail]]'' noted that the interview was conducted "almost entirely in English."<ref name="GM"/><ref name="NP"/> Earlier, the NDP sent an automated telephone message introducing Brosseau to her new constituents, in which she spoke in "rehearsed and passable French".<ref name="GM">{{cite news|title=NDP's Brosseau admits she's never been to riding, but excited to go soon|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ndps-brosseau-admits-shes-never-been-to-riding-but-excited-to-go-soon/article2013962/|newspaper=Globe and Mail|date=05-07-11}}</ref><ref name="NP">{{cite news|last=News|first=PostMedia|title=Controversial NDP MP Brosseau admits she’s never visited her Quebec riding|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/07/controversial-ndp-mp-brosseau-admits-she%E2%80%99s-never-visited-her-quebec-riding/|newspaper=National Post|date=05-07-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ruth Ellen Brosseau s'adresse à ses électeurs|url=http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/201105/07/01-4397258-ruth-ellen-brosseau-sadresse-a-ses-electeurs.php|newspaper=La Presse|date=05-07-11}}</ref> She said that she was shocked by her election after agreeing to have her name placed on the ballot as a favour to the party. “It was just symbolic,” she said. “I was approached to put my name on a ballot but I was a supporter of the NDP for many years.” However, she added that she is excited by the opportunity to serve in parliament and is trying to improve her French so that she can be fluently bilingual.<ref>{{cite news|title=NDP’s Brosseau admits she’s never been to riding|url=http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/987619--ndp-s-brosseau-admits-she-s-never-been-to-riding?bn=1/|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=05-07-11}}</ref>


On May 11, she made her first public appearance in her new riding. She attended a museum opening in [[Lavaltrie, Quebec|Lavaltrie]] where she made a speech in French although an article by the Toronto star reported that neither the museum nor the media were informed of her news conference appearance.<ref name="TO"/> She also met with the mayors of Lavaltrie, Louiseville and Trois-Rivières and was granted an interview with Trois-Rivières television station [[CHEM-TV]], also in French. Louiseville mayor Guy Richard had praise for her, describing her as "composed and competent"<ref name=Gazette>Minsky, Amy. [http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/decision-canada/Rookie+makes+riding+debut/4767189/story.html‘Composed, competent’ rookie MP Brosseau makes Quebec riding debut]. [[Montreal Gazette]], 2011-05-12.</ref> while Lavaltrie mayor Jean-Claude Gravel said, "she expressed herself well in French."<ref name="TO">Chung, Andrew. [http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/989564--controversial-mp-emerges-from-the-shadows Controversial Quebec MP emerges from the shadows]. [[The Toronto Star]], 2011-05-12.</ref>
On May 11, she made her first public appearance in her new riding. She attended a museum opening in [[Lavaltrie, Quebec|Lavaltrie]] where she made a speech in French.<ref name="TO"/> She also met with the mayors of Lavaltrie, Louiseville and Trois-Rivières and was granted an interview with Trois-Rivières television station [[CHEM-TV]], also in French. Louiseville mayor Guy Richard had praise for her, describing her as "composed and competent"<ref name=Gazette>Minsky, Amy. [http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/decision-canada/Rookie+makes+riding+debut/4767189/story.html‘Composed, competent’ rookie MP Brosseau makes Quebec riding debut]. [[Montreal Gazette]], 2011-05-12.</ref> while Lavaltrie mayor Jean-Claude Gravel said, "she expressed herself well in French."<ref name="TO">Chung, Andrew. [http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/989564--controversial-mp-emerges-from-the-shadows Controversial Quebec MP emerges from the shadows]. [[The Toronto Star]], 2011-05-12.</ref>


==Controversies and criticism==
==Controversies and criticism==

Revision as of 21:54, 19 May 2011

Ruth Ellen Brosseau
Member of the Canadian House of Commons
Assuming office
May 30, 2011
SucceedingGuy André
ConstituencyBerthier—Maskinongé
Personal details
Born (1984-04-26) April 26, 1984 (age 40)
Montreal, Quebec
Political partyNew Democratic Party
Residence(s)Gatineau, Quebec

Ruth Ellen Brosseau (born April 26, 1984)[1][2] is a Canadian politician. She was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a New Democratic Party candidate in the 2011 federal election.

Early life

Brosseau's father, Marc, is a francophone[3] who is also fluent in English.[4] The Brosseau family lived in Hudson, Quebec until the younger Brosseau reached grade 2. From there, the family moved to Kingston, Ontario, where she continued to take French immersion classes.[5]

Brosseau attended St. Lawrence College in Kingston. Her online biography initially indicated that she graduated from the college, but it was later clarified that she left before graduating, while being two credits short of completing her diploma.[6] The NDP issued a statement that Brosseau had never claimed to have received a diploma, adding, "When her bio was posted on our website, a party staffer inadvertently changed the wording. We apologize for posting this information in error and regret any inconvenience this has caused Ms. Brosseau."[7] She is also an animal welfare activist who has worked to find homes for stray animals and help injured animals recover.[8]

As of May 2011, Brosseau is a single mother who resides in Gatineau, Quebec.[9] Brosseau held the position of assistant manager for Oliver's Pub, a bar on the campus of Carleton University in Ottawa.[10]

Political career

Brosseau ran for a seat to the Canadian House of Commons in the 2011 federal election. She stood as the New Democratic Party candidate in the electoral district of Berthier—Maskinongé in central Quebec. She was the second nomination choice of the party as the original candidate, Julie Demers, decided to run in Bourassa instead (where she lost).[12]

Initially, Brosseau was considered a paper candidate who had been selected by the party due to the lack of a viable local nominee. She never put a serious campaign together and never went to the riding, which straddles the regions of Lanaudière and Mauricie, during the writ period. However, on election night, Brosseau defeated incumbent Bloc Québécois Member of Parliament Guy André, former provincial Liberal MNA Francine Gaudet and three other candidates, winning with a plurality of 5,735 votes and taking just under 40% of all the votes cast. André finished a distant second, with only 29.4 percent of the vote.[11] Her victory was part of a wave of NDP support in Quebec, a province where the party has historically not done well. The NDP increased its standing in the province from one seat in Montreal to a surprising total of 59.

Brosseau's victory was one of the election's biggest upsets. Central Quebec has historically been a very nationalist region, a factor which made it a Bloc stronghold for nearly two decades. Most of the riding's residents had been represented by Bloc MPs since the Bloc's 54-seat breakthrough in 1993. Previously, the NDP had never finished higher than fourth in the riding's present incarnation (dating to 2004), and every previous NDP challenger had lost his or her deposit.

Brosseau did not address the media or take questions from reporters for several days after her election.[13] Her father, Marc Brosseau, felt that her silence was an act of caution. "There's so much bad publicity that's surrounded all of this, and there's so much misinformation. She wants to make sure that when it does come out, it'll come out properly. This is maybe another stage in her life that's gonna put her in a whole new different sphere."[14][4]

Concerns had also been raised about her proficiency in French, given that 98 percent of Berthier-Maskinongé's residents are francophone[15] and 77 percent of them don't speak English.[7] Of the NDP's Quebec MPs, she was the only one who was not fluently bilingual at the time the writs were dropped.[12] Early in the campaign, she granted an interview with CHHO-FM in Louiseville interviewed her, but station officials opted not to air it due to concerns about the quality of her French.[15][16][7][17]When asked about his daughter's French proficiency, Marc replied, "The quality of (her) French is good. It's just if she wants to rise to the occasion, she speaks it, but let's just say it's not at a high proficiency level."[14][4]

At a press conference held the day after Brosseau's election, NDP co-deputy leader and Quebec lieutenant Thomas Mulcair addressed her language issues. While conceding that Brosseau's command of French was "not at a level we would expect for a riding like Berthier—Maskinongé," he personally promised to "help organize her office" and "give her all the help that's needed."[18] Mulcair also offered Brosseau moral support saying, "if ever there are things that need to be taken over by the party, or by me personally, I will be there."[18] He also said that he was willing to handle most of Berthier-Maskinongé's constituency issues in the short term while Brosseau improves her command of French.[12]

On May 6, Brosseau gave her first interview since being elected, with Le Nouvelliste of Trois-Rivières. Brosseau acknowledged that she had not expected to be elected and that she had not been to her new riding, but planned to go there soon.[19] The Globe and Mail noted that the interview was conducted "almost entirely in English."[19][20] Earlier, the NDP sent an automated telephone message introducing Brosseau to her new constituents, in which she spoke in "rehearsed and passable French".[19][20][21] She said that she was shocked by her election after agreeing to have her name placed on the ballot as a favour to the party. “It was just symbolic,” she said. “I was approached to put my name on a ballot but I was a supporter of the NDP for many years.” However, she added that she is excited by the opportunity to serve in parliament and is trying to improve her French so that she can be fluently bilingual.[22]

On May 11, she made her first public appearance in her new riding. She attended a museum opening in Lavaltrie where she made a speech in French.[23] She also met with the mayors of Lavaltrie, Louiseville and Trois-Rivières and was granted an interview with Trois-Rivières television station CHEM-TV, also in French. Louiseville mayor Guy Richard had praise for her, describing her as "composed and competent"[24] while Lavaltrie mayor Jean-Claude Gravel said, "she expressed herself well in French."[23]

Controversies and criticism

During the 2011 federal election, Brosseau raised controversy when it was learned that she had spent part of the campaign on vacation in Las Vegas. Her trip had been arranged prior to the election being called. By the time the writ was dropped, it was too late to reschedule.[25] NDP leader Jack Layton defended Brosseau's decision to vacation in Vegas, pinning the blame on Harper not keeping his promise on fixed election dates.[26] An op-ed in the National Post criticized Brosseau's inexperience, writing that she is "an extreme example of what happens when people sign up to run for a party with little or no expectation of actually winning."[27] Further criticisms arose from the fact that she lives in Gatineau, which is in a different part of Quebec.[28] However, she indicated that she plans to move to the riding soon.[24]

Two days after the election, allegations were made by both the defeated Liberal and Conservative candidates about irregularities on Brosseau's nomination papers. While each party has the chance to vet each other's nomination papers before the election, the other parties chose not to vet Brosseau's papers because no one believed she had a realistic chance of winning. The local Liberal and Conservative associations have called for a by-election, but Elections Canada has ruled that only a court can order new elections.[29] Both parties subsequently declined to file a formal court challenge.[29]

In response to the allegations, the NDP released a statement, stating that "All signatures were collected legitimately, the documents were tabled with Elections Canada and they were approved by the Returning Officer."[30][31]

References

  1. ^ "Ruth Ellen Brosseau sort de son mutisme". Cyberpresse: Le Nouvelliste. 05-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Vegas-visiting Quebec NDP MP Brosseau admits she never visited riding". Vancouver Sun. 05-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "NDP's Brosseau admits she's never been to riding". Toronto Star. 05-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b c "Video: When will Ruth Ellen meet the press?" The Globe and Mail, Featuring video from CTV.ca, May, 04, 2011
  5. ^ "Brosseau speaks to media, says victory was a "shock"". CTV News Ottawa. 05-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ NDP says party — not Brosseau — at fault for false diploma claim, Canada.com, May 10, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c New Democrat doesn’t have diploma, despite inclusion in biography The Globe and Mail 2011-05-10
  8. ^ Ruth Ellen Brosseau. "Ruth Ellen Brosseau candidate profile". New Democratic Party of Canada. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  9. ^ Allan Woods and Joanna Smith (May 4, 2011). "Reality show stars, students, museum guides: meet the new NDP MPs". The Toronto Star. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  10. ^ "How will Layton's new MPs take to Ottawa?". CTV News. May 3, 2011. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Berthier—Maskinongé election results". Elections Canada. May 2, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c Tamsin McMahon (May 4, 2011). "The REALLY New Democrats". National Post. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  13. ^ "How will Layton's new MPs take to Ottawa? - CTV News". Ctv.ca. May 3, 2011. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  14. ^ a b "Quote taken from the "CTV Ottawa: Catherine Lathem on a new MP" video link". Ctv.ca. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  15. ^ a b Andrew Chung (2011-04-28). "In French-speaking riding, NDP candidate speaks little French". The Toronto Star. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  16. ^ Plante, Louise (May 4, 2011). "Ruth-Ellen Brosseau: fantôme et anglophone?". Le Nouvelliste (in French). Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  17. ^ Nadeau, André (May 3, 2011). "Berthier-Maskinongé choisit une députée anglophone unilingue". L'Action (in French). Joliette, Quebec. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  18. ^ a b Montpetit, Jonathan. "NDP's gang of rookies includes four McGill students, 19-year-old, Vegas visitor". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  19. ^ a b c "NDP's Brosseau admits she's never been to riding, but excited to go soon". Globe and Mail. 05-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ a b News, PostMedia (05-07-11). "Controversial NDP MP Brosseau admits she's never visited her Quebec riding". National Post. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "Ruth Ellen Brosseau s'adresse à ses électeurs". La Presse. 05-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "NDP's Brosseau admits she's never been to riding". Toronto Star. 05-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ a b Chung, Andrew. Controversial Quebec MP emerges from the shadows. The Toronto Star, 2011-05-12.
  24. ^ a b Minsky, Amy. competent’ rookie MP Brosseau makes Quebec riding debut. Montreal Gazette, 2011-05-12.
  25. ^ Bill Curry (April 26, 2011). "NDP candidate takes mid-campaign vacation in Vegas". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  26. ^ Theodore, Terri (04-27-11). "Lack of fixed election dates to blame for vacationing NDP candidates: Layton". Yahoo News Canada. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ Hamilton, Graeme (April 27, 2011). "NDP surge means some unlikely candidates have a shot at Parliament". National Post. Toronto.
  28. ^ Woods, Allan (May 5, 2011). "Liberals seek revenge on Quebec MP who won without campaigning". Toronto Star. Toronto. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  29. ^ a b Marie Vastel; Rhéal Séguin (May 6, 2011). "Libs, Tories protest controversial NDP MP's win, but won't challenge it in court". Canadian Press. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  30. ^ Tu Thanh Ha; Rhéal Séguin (May 4, 2011). "New NDP MP accused of falsifying nomination papers". Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  31. ^ Sarah Boesveld; Sarah-Taissir Bencharif (May 4, 2011). "NDP MP Thomas Mulcair questions Bin Laden pictures". National Post. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
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