Quebec Liberals choose Namie Goyette for byelection in Pladeau's old riding

The Quebec Liberals have chosen a 29-year-old businesswoman to run in a provincial byelection in ex-Parti Qubcois leaderPierre Karl Pladeau's old riding.

NamieGoyette, who co-owns arestaurant inSaint-Adolphe-d'Howard, Que. with her partner,will try to win Saint-Jrme in the Laurentians.

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"The people of Saint-Jrmewill fall for Namie," Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said before a smallbut enthusiastic crowdTuesday.

Couillard, promising an "extremely energetic campaign," positioned his candidate as someone young Quebecers could relate to.

"Quebec's youth no longer seethemselves in the close-minded and isolating discourse [of the PQ, and] no longer see themselves in the discourse of decline and pessimism of the CAQ (Coalition AvenirQubec)," he said.

Goyette is known locally for her volunteer work with young dropouts.

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Saint-Jrme has been vacant since Pladeau's political resignationlast May.

It is one of four ridings in whichPremier Philippe Couillard will have to set dates for byelections.

The Liberals have 70 of the 125 seats in the National Assembly, compared with 28 for the PQ, 20 for the CAQ and three for QubecSolidaire.

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