Montreal city councillor to represent Liberals in byelection

Montreal municipal politicianLaura Palestini will represent the incumbent Liberals in the upcoming byelection for the vacantLaSalle-mard-Verdun seat.

Palestinihas served fourterms on the LaSalle borough council, and is currently in her first term onMontreal's city council. Campaign co-chair Soraya Martineztold Radio-Canada Palestiniwas handpicked by the Liberal Party to run. The seatbecame vacantwiththe resignation of former justice minister David Lametti in January.

"I know the challenges and opportunities that families face here in LaSallemardVerdun and I am ready to fight for our priorities as your next member of Parliament,"Palestinisaid in a mediarelease.

"Together, we can build more homes and protect renters, strengthen our public health care, fight climate change and create well-paying new jobs, and make sure everyone in our community has a fair shot at success."

A date has not yet been called for this byelection; Elections Canada says the date must be announced byJuly 30.

WATCH:Former justice minister stands by decision to invoke Emergencies Act

Former justice minister stands by decision to invoke Emergencies Act

10 months ago

Duration 3:30

David Lametti disagrees with a federal judges ruling that actions taken under the act infringed on Charter rights.

The NDPwill be represented in the race by another Montreal city councillor,Craig Sauv, and the Green Party isrunning former candidate for the party federal council Jency Mercier.

The Conservatives have not yet announced a candidatebut party leader Pierre Poilievre has made several appearances in Montreal since Parliament went on its summer recess.

The Liberals have won LaSalle-mard-Verdunin each election since the riding wasformed in 2015.

The Liberals lost the recent Toronto-St. Paul's byelection toConservative Don Stewartlast month in a contest they were expected to win. That ridinghad beenheld by veteran Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett since 1997.