France Bélisle
22nd mayor of Gatineau / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
France Bélisle is a Canadian politician who served as the mayor of Gatineau, Quebec from 2021 to 2024. She was elected in the 2021 Gatineau municipal election, becoming the city's first female mayor.[1]
France Bélisle | |
---|---|
22nd Mayor of Gatineau | |
In office November 16, 2021 – February 22, 2024 | |
Preceded by | Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin |
Succeeded by | Daniel Champagne (acting) |
Personal details | |
Political party | Independent |
Occupation | Journalist |
Bélisle was educated in journalism at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University,[2] Bélisle worked as a journalist and news director for Ici Radio-Canada Télé owned-and-operated station CBOFT-DT in Ottawa, Ontario until joining Tourisme Outaouais as its executive director in 2015.[3] She left that role in 2021 to mount her campaign for mayor.[4]
She campaigned on themes of transparency at Gatineau City Hall, as well as on the need for Gatineau to maintain and improve its collaboration and communication with Ottawa City Council.[2] During the campaign she faced allegations that her leadership of Tourisme Outaouais had created a toxic work environment at the organization.[5]
She was sworn in as mayor of the city on November 16, 2021.[6] She resigned on February 22, 2024, citing a toxic political environment and death threats, triggering the 2024 Gatineau mayoral by-election.[7]