Elected radio host expected to make waves in Ottawa

Ottawa might have to brace itself for the only Independent candidate elected to the House of Commons Monday.

"King Arthur" is an ardent federalist who is not afraid to speak his mind. (courtesy CKNU)

Shock jock André Arthur, who scored a major upset in the riding of Portneuf-Jacques Cartier is known for speaking his mind.

Arthur, 62, has been sued several times, and fired from a few jobs. As a rowdy radio host, he has also had his share of run-ins with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

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His outspoken style ended his mainstream radio career just before Christmas, but he's still very popular and managed to run a successful campaign.

Arthur won with almost 40 per cent of the vote, compared to almost 28 per cent for his nearest rival, Bloc Québécois candidate Guy Côté.

C¿t¿ had held the predominantly francophone riding, which is home to the Valcartier military base, since the 2004 election. Liberal Claude Duplain occupied the seat for one term before that.

Arthur, also known as King Arthur to his fans, actively courted the disenchanted voter during the 56-day campaign.

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"Most people, when I talk with them, tell me about how fed up they are with rotten politics, and the disrespect they get from the political parties," the 62-year-old said during the campaign.

Like Rush Limbaugh, but more vulgar

Arthur told reporters Monday night that he has no intention of muting his style in Ottawa.

Arthur, an ardent federalist, explains that despite his controversial past, he's ready to be a voice for his constituents in Ottawa.

"I think it's quite a challenge, and I think that all things considered, this is quite fun," Arthur said Monday.

"He always took pride in saying that, first and foremost, he was a contrarian. Think of Rush Limbaugh, and make it more vulgar," Thibodeau offers.

Thibodeau says Arthur's brash style made Arthur a natural choice for voters fed up with a Liberal government many viewed as corrupt.

But Arthur's candour has also got him into trouble.

His radio rants spawned many lawsuits, including legal actions launched by former Quebec premiers Lucien Bouchard and Daniel Johnson.

Currently, Johnson's wife is suing Arthur for $500,000, after he alleged that she benefitted inappropriately from government grants.

Arthur once said that African students at Laval University were the children of dictators and cannibals. That remark was one reason why the CRTC decided to strip Quebec City radio station CHOI-FM of its licence in 2004.

• FROM JULY 15, 2004: Critics divided over shutdown of Quebec radio station

Looking for radio work

Political success has not softened Arthur. He says he may hunt for a new radio job in Ottawa, in addition to his parliamentary duties.

"I think that any member of parliament should have a real job [in addition to their duties as MP]", Arthur mused. "Maybe if they all had a real job, they would sound less like Martians when we listen to them!"

Arthur says he'll also hang on to his part-time job as a bus driver.

Although Thibodeau predicts that Arthur will not have a long and distinguished career as a parliamentarian, Arthur himself insists he's taking the job seriously, and that he will bring a common-sense approach to Ottawa.