National Post

‘They voted for Jack Layton. Jack Layton is dead,’ former NDP MP says on move to Liberals
Quebec NDP MP Lise St-Denis announced Tuesday she is crossing the floor to sit with Canada’s third party.

“The decision I have made is motivated by the challenges that the people of my riding will face,” St-Denis said at a news conference in Ottawa, flanked by interim Liberal leader Bob Rae and Denis Coderre, the party’s Quebec caucus president.

St-Denis also cited disagreements over NDP policy on Senate reform and Libya as a reason for her switch.

Elected for the first time May 2, St-Denis represents the riding of Saint-Maurice-Champlain, which was once held by former Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien.

When asked about the reaction of voters in her riding to the move, St-Denis was reported to reply: “Les électeurs ont voté pour Jack Layton. Jack Layton est mort.” or, roughly, “Voters voted for Jack Layton. Jack Layton is dead.” (Photo: Brian Gable/Reuters)