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OTTAWA — The New Democrats booted Quebec MP Pierre Nantel out of the party’s federal election fold Friday after confirming with him that he is in discussions to run for the Green party instead.

Nantel has been a New Democrat MP for the riding of Longueuil–Saint-Hubert since 2011 and had already been nominated as the NDP candidate in the riding for the Oct. 21 vote.

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In an interview with La Presse Canadienne, Nantel said the “climate crisis” is an issue of great importance to him and that he’s been trying to determine how best to represent Quebec residents while also running for a party committed to taking firm action on climate change.

He said he believes Green party Leader Elizabeth May is the only federal leader willing to truly tackle climate issues.

“There are not five or six choices,” Nantel said in French.

“There are two choices: the status quo with the Liberals and the Conservatives or there’s the alternative. And I think factually, for no matter who is looking at the climate situation, the person who embodies that, it’s obviously Ms. May.”