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Lefebvre win has special meaning for Marleau

Liberal Paul Lefebvre's victory in Sudbury on Monday had a special meaning for Paul Marleau, whose late wife, Diane, was MP and a cabinet minister for years. Marleau, who passed away in 2013 after a battle with cancer, held the riding from 1988-2008.
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Liberal Paul Lefebvre's victory in Sudbury on Monday had a special meaning for Paul Marleau, whose late wife, Diane, was MP and cabinet minister for years. Darren MacDonald photo.
Liberal Paul Lefebvre's victory in Sudbury on Monday had a special meaning for Paul Marleau, whose late wife, Diane, was MP and a cabinet minister for years.

Marleau, who passed away in 2013 after a battle with cancer, held the riding from 1988-2008. In that time, she served as health minister and public works ministers in the government of former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, as well as minister for International Co-operation and Francophonie.

Paul Marleau said they were aware of Lefebvre long before he entered the race.

"Diane and I talked about Paul Lefebvre way back when, as a possible replacement for her," he said. "And as soon as I started working with him, (I saw) he had all the potential there.” Lefebvre's work ethic and passion impressed him, Marleau said, and he was buoyed by the impressive campaign by party leader Justin Trudeau.

“The young Trudeau just came through – everything worked out super well," he said. "They did a poll about a week ago (and) we knew our guy was ahead. But then Trudeau's last speeches and last commercials that he did, where he came (across) so forcefully, he brought in the whole country."

In his speech to supporters, Lefebvre thanked Marleau by name, listing him as one of the mentors that helped him win, along with former MPP Rick Bartolucci and current MPP Glenn Thibeault.

Ironically, Thibeault defeated Marleau in the 2008 election, winning the seat for the federal NDP before crossing the floor to run for the provincial Liberals in February. Thibeault won the provincial seat, despite the Sudbury byelection scandal. While Thibeault was not implicated in the scandal, the investigation led to fundraiser Gerry Lougheed Jr. being charged criminally.

On Monday, Thibeault said Sudburians and voters across the country feel connected to the party in a way they don't with other parties.

“People are voting Liberal because we understand what their needs and what their wants are,” he said. “We're talking about infrastructure, we're talking about creating jobs – the things that matter to them. And we're being very transparent about it.

“People across the country are recognizing that, they see that the change they want is with the Liberals. And I've had the experience of being on both sides now, and it was one of the reasons I was looking at leaving. Because (the NDP) weren't talking about the issues people care about. And I think you're seeing that (on election night.)”

Marleau said it's the combination of having the right policies and the right people that keeps voters coming back.

"I think they believe in Liberal values, Liberal tradition,” he said. (Voters here) “would never go Conservative. So it was always a choice between the NDP and the Liberals.

“Diane was there for 20 years, and now this young man, his plan is to be there for 20 years. And I'm going to be there with him as long as I can."

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Darren MacDonald

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