Mario Beaulieu
- Born
- February 1, 1959 — Sherbrooke
- Political Experience
- President of the Parti Québécois's riding association in Montreal Centre from 1997 to 2002; Unsuccessful Bloc Québécois candidate in the 1997 federal election; 80th president of the sovereignist Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste of Montreal from 2009 to 2014; president (2014–2018), interim leader (2018–2019) and leader (2014–2015) of the Bloc Québécois; MP for La Pointe-de-l'Île since the 2015 election.
- Notable
- Spokesman for the Mouvement Québec français; Advocate for strengthening measures requiring the predominance of the French language in Quebec, as well as for Quebec independence.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering federal politics, Mario Beaulieu was a prominent figure in Quebec's sovereigntist movement. He served as the president of the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal from 2009 to 2014. He was also a spokesperson for the Mouvement Québec français, an organization dedicated to promoting the French language in Quebec. His career has been primarily focused on activism and roles within these nationalist organizations rather than private business.
Key Relationships & Connections
Mario Beaulieu's key relationships are rooted in the Quebec sovereignty movement. He has worked closely with various figures within the Bloc Québécois, a party he led from 2014 to 2015 before stepping down. He was succeeded by Gilles Duceppe, who returned to lead the party into the 2015 election. He also has long-standing connections with leaders and members of organizations like the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste and the Mouvement Québec français, where he held leadership positions.
Public Controversies
Mario Beaulieu's tenure as leader of the Bloc Québécois in 2014 was marked by controversy. Critics, including some within the sovereigntist movement, described his political style as hardline and divisive. He faced criticism for a speech in which he punched his fist in the air while saying "nous vaincrons" (we will conquer), a phrase some commentators linked to the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ). Beaulieu defended his words as a common political expression. His leadership reportedly caused internal strife, leading to the departure of two sitting Bloc Québécois MPs, Jean-François Fortin and André Bellavance, who chose to leave the party caucus. Several potential candidates also withdrew their names from consideration for the upcoming election, citing disagreements with his leadership style. These events contributed to his decision to step down as leader in 2015.
Where Mario falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Mario Beaulieu won with 22,940 votes (43.1%)
Total votes cast: 53,209
How does Mario Beaulieu's voting record line up with your values?
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois tabled an amendment that has been adopted. It seeks to abolish the religious exemption in the Criminal Code regarding incitement to hatred. I would like to know what my colleague thinks of this. How will this help to foster a more civilized debate and promote respect between different religions and people of all backgrounds?
Mr. Speaker, does my colleague agree that religious texts should never be deliberately used to incite hatred against a particular group? If so, why not abolish the existing religious exemption in the Criminal Code for this type of offence?
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Conservatives are reluctant to engage in any real debate on a number of points. My colleague said she would like to see this debated further. What solutions would she propose to ensure that we finally reach an agreement?
Mr. Speaker, my colleague said that the laws already exist and that they need to be enforced. At least one area does require a legislative amendment, specifically the religious exemption for incitement to hatred. Under that exemption, anyone who quotes a passage from the Bible or the Quran to incite hatred will be protected and cannot be prosecuted. Does my colleague agree that a legislative
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know what my colleague thinks about the repeal of the religious exemption in the Criminal Code for cases of incitement of hatred. It definitely does not mean that reading religious texts of any religion whatsoever is forbidden, but it does prohibit deliberately using religious texts to incite hatred against a group or another religion.