Lac-Saint-Jean mayors disappointed by Couillard's departure

The mayors of former Quebec premier PhilippeCouillard'sriding are expressing sadness over the loss of their local representative in the province, saying he contributed a lot to the Lac-Saint-Jean region's development.

Couillardwon his riding ofRobervalwith 42.5 per cent of the vote, but the former Quebec Liberal Party leader suffered a historic defeat toCoalitionAvenirQubec'sFranoisLegault.

Legaultand his party won a majority with 74 seats in the National Assembly.

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A couple days after his concession speech Monday night,Couillardannounced his resignation both as party leader and as theMNAforRoberval, which includes the municipalities ofRoberval,Normandin,Dolbeau-Mistassini,Pribonka,ChambordandSaint-Flicien.

Couillardcalled the mayors himself before announcing his decision. A byelectionwill be held in the next six months for a new MNA to take his place.

"We're disappointed in the sense that we're losing an individual who did a lot for the riding, but I understand very well his decision to leave," said the mayor ofChambord, LucChiasson.

LucienBoivin, the mayor of Saint-Prime, south ofSaint-Flicien, echoedChiasson'sstatement, saying he hopes the pace of development in the Lac-Saint-Jean area will continue.

'Big shoes to fill'

"I hope we'll have someone who will represent us well, but they have big shoes to fill because Mr.Couillardwas a man who was close to his citizens,"Boivinsaid.

RobervalMayorSabinCtsays he hasfond memories of working withCouillard.

"He was present in the riding. He was someone who was easy to get in touch with,"Ctsaid.

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Couillardhas claimed he brought $250 million in investments to the region, including projects such as the refurbishment of theRobervalcourthouse, the development of theSaint-FlicienZoo and the re-opening ofNorbord, anoriented strand board mill.

Couillard is from Montreal originally and has run in four different ridings as a Liberal MNAin the past: Mont-Royal and Outremont in Montreal, Jean-Talon in the Quebec City area and Roberval.

His wife of 15 years, Suzanne Pilote, is from the SaguenayLac-Saint-Jean region and the couple's main residence is in Saint-Flicien.