Introducing the Pontiac-Kitigan Zibi candidates for the upcoming federal election 

Sophie Demers 

Canadians across the country will cast their vote in the next federal election on April 28th. The following is an introduction of the candidates from all parties running in the Pontiac-Kitigan Zibi electoral district:

Liberal Party of Canada (LPC): Sophie Chatel

• Elected in 2021, Chatel is the incumbent Member of Parliament for the Pontiac-Kitigan Zibi riding. She was previously a public servant and has a law degree as well as a master’s degree in taxation. She is the former head of the Tax Treaty Unit at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Chatel has lived in the area since 2002.

Conservative Party of Canada (CPC): Brian Nolan

• Nolan is currently a Senior Program Officer for the Canadian Border Services Agency and has 25 years’ experience in public service work in various government departments. He has a computer programming degree and has been an entrepreneur running an IT consulting company and previously co-owning a food store in Ottawa. The candidate volunteered with Des Collines Minor Hockey, having held the role of President and Vice-President.

Bloc Québécois (BQ): As of publication, the candidate is yet to be announced. Candidates have until April 7 to announce their candidacy. 

New Democratic Party (NDP): Gilbert Whiteduck

• Whiteduck was born and raised in Pontiac Kitigan-Zibi. He has served on the band council for Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg for 20 years, including seven years as Chief. The candidate has worked for over 30 years in education. Whiteduck has four university degrees. He is known as a strong advocate for his community. He also served as Senior Education Advisor with the First Nations Education Council for two years.

Green Party of Canada (GPC): Claude Bertrand

• Claude Bertrand is a happily retired 68-year-old living in La Pêche. He has had two distinguished careers in distinct – the first, as a professional engineer; the second, as a military pilot. In this capacity, he was deployed for nine months to Afghanistan, where he carried out over 70 armed escort missions.
• The candidate is involved locally as a volunteer. He co-founded the “Amis des rapides de Deschênes” group in 1990 to oppose the construction of a controversial dam in Aylmer. In 2022, he co-founded the “Friends / Amis du Lac Bernard” group, made up of Lake Bernard residents dedicated to environmental awareness and sociocultural promotion.
• If elected, Bertrand commits to working tirelessly to improve the social and economic conditions of the people in his riding. In addition, he intends to firmly oppose any residential encroachment on the Gatineau Park territory. He is committed to supporting local businesses affected by U.S. tariffs.
• The candidate envisions a Canada that remains resolutely independent from its southern neighbour.
  

People's Party of Canada (PPC): Todd Hoffman

• Hoffman is a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces. Later, he became an entrepreneur, running a construction company and a microbrewery before taking his current position as a high school teacher. Hoffman was involved with the Pontiac Chamber of Commerce for many years. He has served as president and is currently vice-president of the organization.

For more information on electoral districts and how to vote, visit the Elections Canada website.