The NDP's headline-grabbing MP has finally broken her silence, telling a newspaper in her riding that she's never been there, but plans to go soon.
Ruth Ellen Brosseau begins her interview with the newspaper Le Nouvelliste in French, telling reporter Martin Francouer that she is "vraiement, vraiement excite."
But from that point on, the balance of their exchange takes place in stilted English.
"I wasn't really expecting to win," she said, conceding her election victory came "as a bit of a shock."
In answers punctuated by long pauses during which is heard shuffling papers and apparently struggling to recall what she should say, Brosseau does her best to dispel doubts she can adequately represent the predominantly Francophone constituency in her central Quebec riding of Berthier-Maskinonge.
"This is not a one-person job," she said, explaining that, "I'm working very hard, and I'm learning."
When asked if she had been asked to simply put her name on the ballot, Brosseau conceded that she had been approached by the party that she's campaigned for since she was old enough to vote.
"I've always supported the NDP, so when I was approached I just put my name forth."
Later in the day, an automated phone message was sent out to voters in the riding, featuring the voice of NDP Leader Jack Layton introducing his MP.
Brosseau, a single mom, also spoke in the message, saying in French: "I will make sure voices of regular families like ours are heard loud and clear in the House of Commons."
Layton has also been reaching out to local mayors, and he is set to appear on Quebec television Sunday to talk about his army of MPs in the province.
Despite the controversy surrounding her candidacy, her campaign and her unexpected win, Brosseau said the thought of renouncing her new job never crossed her mind.
There had been speculation Brosseau's plan to represent the riding would be thwarted by her rivals, but the Liberals and Conservatives both appeared to have abandoned their challenges on Saturday.
Both the Tories and Grits had raised questions about the legitimacy of the overwhelming election result that saw Brosseau win her riding by a margin of more than 5,700 votes.
In the wake of election day, one constituent's suggestion that both his wife's signature and his own were unwittingly added to Brosseau's nomination papers called the legitimacy of her candidacy into question.
That spurred Brosseau's Conservative rival Marie-Claude Godue to call for a byelection.
Elections Canada has since upheld Brosseau's election win, however, meaning a court challenge would be needed to overturn it.
The Tory party has now ruled out taking the case to court. And while the Liberals said they'd file a complaint with Elections Canada, they've made no mention of a court challenge.
Such a challenge would have to be filed with the Superior Court of Quebec within 30 days of Elections Canada validating the result.
Brosseau, who is described on the NDP's website as a "dedicated community activist and volunteer" with a passion for rescuing injured animals, has been grabbing unwanted attention since news emerged that she took a vacation to Las Vegas at the height of the election campaign.
In her interview with Le Nouvelliste Brosseau did not indicate any regrets for taking the trip to celebrate her 27th birthday. It had been planned long in advance, she said, and could not be changed.
The New Democrats' admission that Brosseau speaks little French has also drawn fire from those who question her ability to represent a predominantly Francophone constituency. But, even though Brosseau admits she will benefit from some remedial French lessons, she remains confident she can handle the job.
As for the voters she now represents, Brosseau said she's looking forward to meeting them on her impending first-ever visit to the riding.
"Over the next few days we're going to make a trip to the riding and I'm really looking forward to that," she said, conceding that she's never actually been there before.
"I'm really excited to come, I've heard it's a beautiful place."
With files from The Canadian Press
