Alexandre Boulerice resigns federal seat to run for Quebec solidaire provincially

Alexandre Boulerice officially resigned as MP for Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie on Tuesday, marking the end of his 15-year tenure in federal Parliament to run for Quebec solidaire in the provincial election.

Boulerice sat as an independent in the House of Commons since April, when he formally announced his plans to run provincially in Quebec. He had represented the NDP in federal politics, including serving as deputy leader under former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.

In a statement, Boulerice said representing his community "has been an honour." He pointed to concrete achievements during his tenure, including dental care for hundreds of thousands of Quebecers and anti-replacement worker legislation protecting workers' rights. He also highlighted advocacy for greater social justice, better public services, and more humane immigration services, as well as more ambitious environmental measures.

Boulerice was the last remaining MP from the 2011 "orange wave," when the NDP won 59 seats in Quebec and became official opposition for the first and only time in the party's history.

NDP Leader Avi Lewis has already begun campaigning with the party's candidate, Pierre Céré, in the riding — the only NDP seat east of Manitoba before Boulerice's departure. A federal byelection for the seat is scheduled for August 31.