Opposition elected official Éric Ralph Mercier was expelled from the municipal council on Tuesday due to a threat he made against an elected official from the mayor’s party, Jean-François Gosselin.
“You threatened your colleague, which is horrible. […] I would invite you to take a little walk,” thundered the president of the council, Louis Martin, to the address of Éric Ralph Mercier, advisor to the second opposition of Équipe Priorité Québec.
Mr. Mercier, during an acrimonious exchange, had declared a few seconds earlier: “My colleague [Mélançon] was attacked personally. I would like to remind my colleague [Gosselin] that he does not benefit from parliamentary immunity here. And there may be consequences. I dare to hope that his mortgage is paid!
Reprimand
These comments made the executive vice-president, Pierre-Luc Lachance, jump, who demanded a “severe reprimand” against the elected official from Charlesbourg. President Martin granted his request and asked Éric Ralph Mercier to clarify his thoughts, which the elected official did not do.
“I agree with Mr. Lachance that you clearly threatened Mr. Gosselin,” said the president, who ordered him to leave. “Your behavior is definitely not appropriate.”
Councilor Mercier granted the request and calmly left the room. He returned to his seat about 20 minutes later.
Mr. Mercier was insulted that Jean-François Gosselin claimed that his colleague Stevens Mélançon was not telling citizens the truth. Mr. Gosselin withdrew his comments.
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