Former Desjardins CEO Guy Cormier to run for Liberals in Montreal byelection

MONTREAL · The Liberal Party of Canada confirmed on Sunday that Guy Cormier, the former president and CEO of Desjardins Group, will be its candidate in the upcoming byelection for the Montreal riding of Laurier-Sainte-Marie. Cormier will seek to succeed former environment minister Steven Guilbeault, who resigned as a member of Parliament last August. The byelection is one of six called by Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday, with all votes to be held on Dec. 7. In a press release, Liberal Party president Sachit Mehra said Cormier brings "exceptional experience in economic and social leadership."

"At such a pivotal moment for Quebec and Canada, Guy [Cormier] will be a strong voice for the people of Laurier, Sainte-Marie and will work tirelessly with Mark Carney to build a stronger and more prosperous economy," Mehra said. For his part, Cormier outlined his goals in the same release, stating he would focus on "making life more affordable, building more housing, and protecting workers and small businesses." Cormier, a native of Varennes, Que., led Desjardins Group from 2016 until earlier this year. Prior to that, he held various positions within the Quebec-based financial cooperative. His main opponents in the race will be New Democrat candidate Nimâ Machouf, an epidemiologist, and Bloc Québécois candidate Zumretay Arkin, a human rights activist and former vice president of the World Uyghur Congress. The confirmation of Cormier's candidacy follows media reports on Saturday, including from La Presse, that he would be the Liberal nominee. The party had previously refused to confirm the news while hinting that "experienced leaders from all walks of life are coming together to work alongside Mark Carney."

In a Radio-Canada interview in January, Cormier had dismissed the idea of entering politics. "My reflections so far lead me to not get involved in politics, regardless of the party or level," he said at the time. The Laurier-Sainte-Marie contest is one of three Quebec ridings with byelections on Dec. 7. The others are Rosemont, La Petite-Patrie and Saint-Hyacinthe, Bagot, Acton. The remaining three byelections are in the Ontario ridings of Brantford-South Brant and Scarborough North, and in Yorkton-Melville, Saskatchewan. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the six by-election dates in a separate statement on Sunday.

With files from The Canadian Press, CityNews and CBC News