Toronto / February 9, 2012 – Two more MPs from the NDP’s Quebec caucus have thrown their support behind NDP leadership candidate, Peggy Nash: Laurin Liu (Rivière-des-Mille-Îles) and Elaine Michaud (Portneuf–Jacques-Cartier).

Liu, who recently represented the NDP at climate change meetings in Durban, said of Nash: “Peggy’s commitment to environmental issues and workers’ rights shows Canadians that she is the leader we need in order to make a just transition to a green economy. Her skills as a negotiator and strong parliamentary performance make her a clear alternative to Stephen Harper.”

Part of building the Quebec NDP for nearly a decade, Michaud cites Nash’s experience as a builder as a key reason behind her choice: “Peggy is the most appropriate leader to build on our Party’s successes in Quebec and the rest of Canada. I’ve followed her for years in the NDP and know that wherever she goes, Peggy effectively inspires and rallies people. This is the kind of leadership our Party needs to topple Harper in 2015.”

Elected to the House of Commons as part of the NDP’s historic 2011 breakthrough in Quebec, Liu and Michaud join fellow Quebec MPs Dany Morin (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord), Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet (Hochelaga), and Anne Minh-Thu Quach (Beauharnois—Salaberry) in publicly endorsing Nash.

Nash has also received the public endorsement of Pierre Ducasse, former advisor on Quebec to Jack Layton and principal author of the Party’s “Sherbrooke Declaration”.

Thanking Liu and Michaud for their endorsements, Nash said: “To have the support of these two bright young women from our Quebec caucus is an honour I take very seriously.”

“Together, we can show voters in Quebec that they have a bankable leader in me.”

– 30 –