Jennifer Maccarone to run for Liberals in WestmountSaint-Louis riding

Jennifer Maccarone will run as the Liberals' candidate in the Liberal stronghold of WestmountSaint-Louis for the upcoming elections on Oct. 1.

The currentpresident of theQuebec English School Boards Association (QESBA)was a unanimous choice among the riding's association members, a source says. She accepted the offer Monday night.

The official announcement of her candidacy should be made later this week.

Maccaronebeat out four other contenders, including Elizabeth Gomery, thedaughter of retired judge John Gomery.

The riding has long been a Liberal stronghold, with currentMNAJacquesChagnon, the Speaker of the National Assembly, holding the position since 1994 when the riding was created.

Before that, he was theMNAfor the riding of Saint-Louis for two terms. In June, he announced he would not be seeking reelection.

Maccaroneno stranger to National Assembly

Inher time asQESBApresident,Maccaronewas a vocal critic of Bill 86, the Liberals contentious school board reform bill.

The bill would abolish school board elections, something theQESBAstrongly lobbied against.

The plan was abandoned however, soon afterSbastienProulxwas made Minister of Education in 2016.

In a Juneinterview withCBCNews, Liberal leader PhilippeCouillardvowed his government would notdo away with the school board elections.

"We're protecting institutions that are close to English-speakingQuebecers, like school boards," he said. "We will neverabolishschool boards.Let's be very clear about this."