André Bellavance

Infobox CanadianMP
name= André Bellavance


term_start=2004 election
term_end=
predecessor= André Bachand
birth_date= birth date and age|1964|06|03
birth_place= Victoriaville, Quebec
successor=
death_date=
death_place=
profession= Journalist, political assistant, radio announcer
party=Bloc Québécois
party colour=BQ
residence=Victoriaville, Quebec
riding= Richmond—Arthabaska
footnotes=
term_start2=
term_end2=
predecessor2=
successor2=
spouse=
religion=
cabinet=
spouse= |

André Bellavance (born June 3, 1964 in Victoriaville, Quebec) is a Canadian politician.

Bellevance is currently a member of the Bloc Québécois in the Canadian House of Commons, representing the riding of Richmond—Arthabaska since 2004. Before being elected, he was the parliamentary assistant to Pierre Paquette.

Flag flap

Bellevance gained national attention early in his term, when he initially refused to provide Canadian flags to a Royal Canadian Legion hall in Richmond. Bellevance, a Quebec sovereigntist, had said he felt uncomfortable promoting Canada by providing a flag through his own office, and instead provided a toll-free phone number for the Department of Canadian Heritage, which might provide such a flag.

Other Bloc MPs had given their constituents Canadian flags on request in the past. A short national scandal ensued at what critics perceived a slight against veterans and against the country. Many politicians quickly sent the Legion flags; Prime Minister Paul Martin sent a flag that had flown atop the Peace Tower, and Opposition leader Stephen Harper personally delivered a dozen flags.

Gilles Duceppe, leader of the Bloc Québécois, soon announced that the Bloc whip would send the legion several flags. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1099872570406_23/?hub=TopStories]

External links

* [http://www.howdtheyvote.ca/member.php?id=23 How'd They Vote?: André Bellavance's voting history and quotes]
* [http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=8131817f-bf86-4739-9a70-6ef9de6f11b6&Language=E&Section=FederalExperience Parliament Webpage]