BARMAID TO MP

Questions are being asked about a barmaid who was elected as one of the country’s newest MPs.

NDP candidate Ruth Ellen Brosseau won her seat in the Quebec riding of Berthier-Maskinongé. She took the seat, which was previously held by the Bloc Quebecois, by a margin of 5000 votes. The riding is located about 400 kilometres from her home in Gatineau, Quebec. It is also a largely francophone riding and her French language skills are reported to be minimal if any.

The 27 year old single mother held the position of assistant manager at Oliver’s Pub on the campus of the University of Ottawa. During the election campaign, Brosseau continued working at the pub and even spent part of the campaign vacationing in Las Vegas. It is not clear if she even visited the riding during the campaign.

Now, two people have come forward to say that they did not sign Brosseau’s nomination papers even though their names appear on the form. Rene Young says that a signature on the form looks like his, but he has no recollection of ever signing it. He also said that a second endorsement purporting to be his wife’s does not look like her signature at all.

Elections Canada officials have indicated that they will be looking into the issue.

I think Brosseau should be asked to produce her birth certificate.