Liberal MNA Pierre Arcand stripped of shadow cabinet role after trip to Barbados during pandemic

The QuebecLiberals havestripped Pierre Arcand of his role in its shadow cabinet after he took a recent holiday to Barbados during the pandemic.

Arcand, who represents Mount RoyalOutremont in Quebec's National Assembly, had been the Liberal critic for matters related to Montreal and to transportation.

The Official Opposition said today in a news release Arcand's responsibilities will be reassigned.

According to Radio-Canada, Arcand is still a member of the Liberal caucus and has no intention of resigning as a member of the National Assembly.

News surfaced of Arcand'svacation after awitness in the Glitter Bay area of Barbados reported seeing him to Radio-Canada on Dec. 29.

At the time, Arcand said that when he and his wife realized Quebec's public health rules meant no family Christmas with children and grandchildren, they headed to the West Indies.

"Despite the fact that travel is not prohibited, we are aware of the magnitude of criticism against people travelling south," he said, adding that he was tested for COVID-19 before and after travel.

Arcandsaid heregrets the decision, "given the current situation in Quebec and the respect we owe to health workers."

Arcand is not the only Quebec politician in hot water for travelling during the pandemic.

Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi visited his wife's sick grandfather in Delaware on Dec. 18 and returned to Canada on Dec. 31. Zuberi, who represents the Quebec riding ofPierrefondsDollard, has stepped down from his roles on parliamentary committees.

LiberalMP Alexandra Mends who representsBrossardSaint-Lambert went to Portugal in July. In August, MP Lyne Bessette, elected inBromeMissisquoi,went to Mexico, stopping briefly in Massachusetts and MP Patricia Lattanziofrom the riding of Saint-LonardSaint-Michelwent to Ireland in September.

Locally,Coalition Avenir Qubec MNAYouri Chassinvisited Peru in December.Chassin said he's been involved since March 2019 in a sponsorship process to have his spouse immigrate to Quebec.

And outside Quebec, a number of politicians have had to step away from their roles due to criticism of their travel, includingNDP MP Niki Ashton,who wasstripped of her critic roles.

Ontario's finance minister, Rod Phillips, resigned his portfolio upon his return from a Caribbean vacation and called the trip a "dumb, dumb mistake."

In Alberta, premier Jason Kenneyaccepted the resignations of his minister of municipal affairs and his chief of staff. He also demoted five otherMLAsfrom his party who travelled internationally over the holidays.