CAQ picks coroner's office rep to run in Louis-Hbert byelection

Coalition Avenir Qubec has chosen a spokesperson for the Quebec coroner's office to run in an upcomingbyelection after the party's original candidate stepped down earlier this week.

GeneviveGuilbault, 34, has in recent years become a well-known figure inQuebec media, providing updates in the wake of tragedies such as the train explosion in Lac-Mgantic,the deadly fire at a seniors'home in L'Isle-Verte and the mosque shooting in Quebec City.

She had already announced her intention to run for the CAQ last August in the riding ofCharlesbourg in the 2018 general election. At the time, CAQ leader Franois Legault said she had the potential to serve as a cabinet minister.

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Guilbault replaces Normand Sauvageau inLouis-Hbert, a riding in the Quebec City area, who removed himself from the running on Wednesday.

In a statement, Sauvageau said he decided to step aside after receiving a callfrom a journalist, who had questions surrounding his early retirement in 2016.

More than a year ago, Savageau wrote, he had retired under "difficult labour relations circumstances" and had not been transparent with his party about what had happened.

Guilbault'sappointment, confirmed by Radio-Canada, will be formally announced at a rally in the riding on Sunday.

Liberal candidate also stepped aside

The Liberal candidate,ric Ttrault, also stepped down on Wednesday,following a report in La Presse detailing complaints from employees at his previous job at a mining company.

The Liberals have until Sept. 16 to announce a new candidate. ThebyelectioninLouis-Hbertis slated for Oct. 2.

Normand Beauregard, a biologist, is running for thePartiQubcois, whileGuillaume Boivin is running for Qubec Solidaire.

The vote will fill the National Assembly's only vacant seat, left empty after the departure of longtime Liberal Sam Hamad in April.

The governing Liberals currently have 68 of the 125 seats in the legislature, compared with 28 for the PQ, 20 for the CAQ, and three for Qubec Solidaire. There are five independent members.