 Boulard's links to Savard became an issue in the 1997 campaign; Pierre Foglia of "La Presse" described him as a "king of fools" who should not have been allowed to run for a credible political party.Boulard defended his work as a professional host and said there was nothing illegal about Savard's business.He received 12,770 votes (28.09%), finishing second against Liberal Party incumbent Denis Paradis.