Patrick Bonin moves from Greenpeace to the Bloc Québécois

Photo: Valérian Mazataud Le Devoir Patrick Bonin a été porte-parole et responsable de la campagne Climat-Énergie de Greenpeace Canada pendant 12 ans.

After 12 years with Greenpeace Canada, Patrick Bonin is making the jump to federal politics. The environmental activist hopes to be elected under the banner of the Bloc Québécois in the riding of Repentigny, where he is from, in the next federal election.

Why did you choose the Bloc Québécois to continue your fight for the environment? “With the various federalist parties that are under the influence of oil, in an oil country like Canada, I have come to the conclusion that for a green Quebec, you need a free Quebec,” he replied in an interview with Devoir. He added that he has “always been a sovereignist.”

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Mr. Bonin’s candidacy comes as federal parties prepare for the next election campaign, which could be called at any time.

And the prospects of a Conservative government, currently likely, have given even more weight to his decision to run, says the environmentalist. “The vision that [Pierre Poilievre] is currently carrying is extremely worrying. It reinforces my decision to want to carry the colours of the Bloc Québécois, to counterbalance this vision that is the antithesis of what needs to be done,” he argues.

If he is elected in this Bloc riding, the environmental activist already foresees clashes with Conservative elected officials. “We may be faced with a completely stubborn Conservative Party that continues to deny the extent of the climate crisis. They will definitely find me in the way. But we are sticking to a collaborative approach, because the issues go beyond party interests.” »

Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet welcomed the nomination Wednesday morning, calling Bonin an “unwavering and effective activist.”

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A role of opposition

Although the sovereignist party is condemned to the role of opposition party in the House of Commons, the former spokesperson for Greenpeace Canada does not see this as a hindrance to its fight for the environment. “It is not because the Bloc will never be in power in Ottawa that it does not have an important role in the functioning of parliament,” he emphasizes.

“Opposition work is crucial to ensure that we criticize the [decisions] of the government and other parties, and to contribute to parliamentary work, [to] studies and [to] bills,” he adds.

Patrick Bonin was not only spokesperson, but also responsible for Greenpeace Canada's Climate-Energy campaign for 12 years. He announced on Tuesday that he was leaving his post to “take on new challenges.”

Her announcement follows the decision by Bloc Québécois MP Monique Pauzé, the MP for Repentigny since 2015, not to seek re-election to the House of Commons. In addition to Ms. Pauzé, Bloc Québécois MP Jean-Denis Garon has also announced that he will not seek re-election.

Patrick Bonin holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in security and crisis management, as well as a master’s degree in environmental science and a graduate diploma in environmental education.