Longtime Liberal MNA Franois Ouimet forced out says Premier Couillard broke promise

FranoisOuimet's voice cracked several times as he spoke to reporters inside the National Assembly's press gallery.

After a "brief" phone call with Premier Philippe Couillard, Ouimetconfirmed Wednesday morning he will not be the Liberal candidate for the Marquette ridingin the upcoming provincial election.

"I won't hide that the actions taken over the last days have been hurtful," said Ouimet.

The Liberal party confirmed Tuesday evening thatOuimet was not going to be running under its banner.

Instead, Radio-Canada is reporting thatformer NHL player Enrico Cicconewill take onthe PLQ candidacyin Marquette, which encompasses Montreal's Lachine borough, and the cities of Dorval and le-Dorval.

The formal announcement willbe made Thursday morning, Radio-Canada reported.

Ouimet said the decision breaksthe promise Couillard made to him in May, when rumours about his place in the party were circulating.

"When you shake someone's hand, and the person looks you in the eyes, and the person tells me, 'Do not worry, I will sign your candidacy form,'you believe that," said Ouimet, visibly upset.

"When a premier tells youthat, you rely on this word."

A push for 'party renewal'

The 58-year old would not go into the possible motives behindhis dismissal, simply stating he sensed therewas a push for the"renewal of the party."

Ouimetsaidcitizens and Liberal party supporters in his riding have reached out to him in the past hours.

"A lot of people do believe there was a betrayal," he said.

Later, at a news conference to announce an $862-million program to help Quebec businesses affected by U.S. tariffs, Couillardsaid he was "saddened" by thedecision to revoke Ouimet'scandidacy.

He expressed his respect for Ouimet, andsaid letting him go was "a very, very difficult decision."

"It's not a judgment on the person," he said.

Couillard said Ouimet was unfortunately caught up in the "bottleneck effect" of having too many candidates "of great quality"and a limited number of ridings. "There is no easy way to do this," he said.

"I have to keep a good mix of experience and renewal," Couillard said.

He would not confirm whether Ciccone would step in to run for the Liberals in the Marquette riding, saying an announcement would be made in a few days.

24 year-career

Ouimet'scolleagues within the PLQ were tight lipped on Wednesday.

Christine St-Pierre said the decision must have been a difficult one for the party, "but when you are asked to leave, you must havethe elegance to do so."

Kathleen Weilsaid information about the shakeup wasn't shared with other Liberal MNAs.

"This must have been tough, but the decision was made," she said.

Premier Couillard is expected to address the move at a press conference later today.

If Ouimethad been re-elected, he would have become the longest-sitting member in the National Assembly.

He hasheld his riding since 1994and thanked his constituents.

"I know what it's like to grow up with dreams and aspirations, but little means to make them real other than hard work. That's why I wanted to give back to the communityand fight for better."

He held several different responsibilities over his 24 years in office, and served asvice-president of the National Assembly since May 2014.