Yves-François Blanchet
- Born
- April 16, 1965 — Drummondville, Quebec
- Family
- Married and is now separated from Nancy Déziel.
- Education
- Bachelor's degree in history and anthropology in 1987 from the Université de Montréal
- Career
- Teacher, founder of an artist, disc and concert management firm, YFB Inc., president of the ADISQ from 2003 to 2006, columnist with Le Nouvelliste
- Political Experience
- Member of the Youth National Committee of the Parti Québécois in 1988, regional director of the PQ, MNA for the Parti Québécois (PQ) from 2008 until 2014, Quebec's Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks from 2012 to 2014, Leader of the Bloc Québécois since 2019, MP for Beloeil—Chambly since 2019
- Notable
- Named the local business personality of the year by the Drummondville Chamber of Commerce, while he and associated artists received 10 Félix Awards.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering federal politics, Yves-François Blanchet had a career in Quebec's music and entertainment industry. He was the president of the Association québécoise de l'industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo (ADISQ) from 2003 to 2006. He also worked as an artist manager, most notably for Quebec rock singer Éric Lapointe. Blanchet also has significant experience in provincial politics. He was elected to the National Assembly of Quebec in 2008 as a member of the Parti Québécois. From 2012 to 2014, he served as the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks in the government of Premier Pauline Marois.
Key Relationships & Connections
As the leader of the Bloc Québécois, Blanchet's key relationships are with other political leaders. He served as a cabinet minister under former Quebec Premier Pauline Marois. In his current role, he frequently interacts and negotiates with the Prime Minister and the leaders of other federal parties in the House of Commons. He also maintains a significant public relationship with the current Premier of Quebec, François Legault, as they are both leaders of major political parties focused on Quebec's interests, though they represent different approaches to the province's place in Canada.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
In 2020, questions were raised after it was reported that a company co-owned by his spouse, Nancy Déziel, had received the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS). Déziel is also the mayor of Shawinigan. The situation drew criticism from opposition parties who questioned the appropriateness of a company linked to the leader of a federal party receiving the subsidy. According to reports, the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner reviewed the matter but did not open a formal investigation. The commissioner's office reportedly concluded that no rules under the Conflict of Interest Act had been broken.
Public Controversies
In July 2020, Yves-François Blanchet faced anonymous allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to 1999, which were published on a Facebook page. Blanchet publicly and strongly denied the allegations, stating they were false. He temporarily stepped back from his duties for a few days but returned after the Bloc Québécois caucus reaffirmed its confidence in him. The person who made the allegations did not come forward publicly or file a formal complaint with the police. Blanchet also faced public criticism regarding the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) received by a company co-owned by his wife. While the Ethics Commissioner reportedly found no rules were broken, the issue was a subject of political controversy and media attention.
Where Yves-François falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Yves-François Blanchet won with 32,844 votes (48.3%)
Total votes cast: 68,052
How does Yves-François Blanchet's voting record line up with your values?
Prime Minister Mr. Speaker, we predicted his appointment would be a disaster, and it is. Theis once again abandoning Quebec culture because of Washington. The Union des artistes and the entire cultural community spoke out against it in the media on Saturday. Their letter is entitled “Chronicle of a disappearance foretold”, because our culture is sure to disappear unless the Prime Minister grows a
Mr. Speaker, in the 1950s, today's Quebeckers were French Canadians who worked for the English. With the Quiet Revolution, which was also an economic revolution, the Quebec nation was created, along with a class of full-fledged Quebec entrepreneurs. In their garages, in their basements or on their boats, these small business owners started from nothing, often with the support of Caisses
Prime Minister Mr. Speaker, this time it is clear. Theis abandoning the cultural sector in the face of American digital giants. Not only is he capitulating on the levy increase demanded from streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime, and Disney, but we also found out that he will require the CRTC to cancel every last bit of funding for Quebec and Canadian content. Even the meagre 5% that Ottawa was
Prime Minister Mr. Speaker, at least he prepares his answers. That is $3.4 billion that will be lost in the creative sector in Quebec and Canada. The minister is going to invest $600 million that he is taking directly out of taxpayers' pockets. He is talking about an announcement he made almost a year ago, before all the disastrous decisions made by the, who is kowtowing to the United States. He
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister previously abandoned the digital services tax without any concessions from Washington; there was nothing at all. As a result, he deprived the cultural sector of $1.4 billion. Today, he is asking the CRTC to backtrack on the 15% levy imposed on large online streaming platforms. That would mean once again giving up on $2 billion that would essentially come from the
Mr. Speaker, he is forgoing $3.4 billion a year that would come from the United States, and taking $600 million out of taxpayers' pockets. By asking the CRTC to cancel the 15% levy, the Prime Minister is doing something even worse than merely capitulating. He is validating the Americans' claim that Quebec culture and the French language are barriers to trade. By replacing the levy with public