A new president for the youth wing of the PLQ

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Lina Yunes was the candidate of the Liberal Party of Quebec in the riding of Chambly in general elections of October 3, 2022. (Archive photo)

The Canadian Press

After being involved in the unrest that shook the Youth Commission of the Liberal Party of Quebec (CJPLQ) in recent months, Lina Yunes has just x27;be elected interim head of the body.

Last October, the then president of the CJPLQ, Élyse Moisan, filed a complaint against the liberal MP for Marguerite-Bourgeoys, Frédéric Beauchemin, for psychological harassment. He was then excluded from the caucus. The complaint also targeted other members of the executive, including Lina Yunes.

The complaint finally fell in December after a process mediation between the two parties and the member for Marguerite-Bourgeoys rejoined the caucus. Two months later, Élyse Moisan resigned from her position.

Asked about the complaint against her, Lina Yunes remains circumspect. I didn't expect it. I didn't see it coming, but it happened. We have turned the page. […] The complaints were filed, then they were withdrawn, indicates the 20-year-old young woman in an interview with The Canadian Press.

The former president has decided to leave her job at the National Assembly and her position as president. It was a personal decision she made. I'll let her continue on her journey.

A quote from Lina Yunes

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Élyse Moisan chaired the CJPLQ from September 2023 to February 2024. (Archive photo)

At the time of the complaints, Frédéric Beauchemin was the godfather of the youth wing. Last October, it was the MP for Mont-Royal–Outremont, Michelle Setlakwe, who replaced him in this mandate.

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The new president wants to start a new chapter for the CJPLQ. We had maybe five or six months where there were no events, no action. There was nothing happening at the youth commission. We had no content. So the young people distanced themselves a little. But we regained our momentum. Young people are present. They are starting to write to me, they want to get involved, assures the woman who was also a Liberal candidate in 2022 in the riding of Chambly (New window).

Lina Yunes, however, suggests that members of the current executive could decide to leave the CJPLQ, but she affirms in the same breath that she does not see any signal in this direction.

I keep the door open. I mention this so that if there are any who wish to leave, and although they feel comfortable doing so.

A quote from Lina Yunes

< p class="StyledBodyHtmlParagraph-sc-48221190-4 hnvfyV">I have a bond of trust which is very positive towards my executive and activists in general […] so if someone wishes to leave their functions, it will not be following my appointment, adds the young woman.

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Lina Yunes participated in the 36th Student Parliament of Quebec which took place from January 2 to 6, 2023 at the National Assembly of Quebec. (File photo)

The new president plans to meet young people on university campuses. She also wants the commission to make proposals that could be taken up by the next Liberal leader. As a political body, we are capable of coming out with good concrete resolutions that the party will put forward during the next general elections, she assures.

As this is an interim mandate, the position of president of the CJPLQ will be officially filled in the coming months. Lina Yunes did not want to say if she was going to run again at this time.

The presidents of the CJPLQ follow one another quickly. Élyse Moisan took the helm of the political organization on September 1, 2023 and then resigned in February 2024. When she took office, she replaced Laurence Lefebvre, who had held these functions for six months.

The PLQ will choose its new leader in 2025 and the CJPLQ holds 33% of the votes in the leadership.