(Victoriaville) Nationalists are running out of air in the Liberal Party of Quebec. They urge their political formation to take an interest in the French-speaking electorate. For one of them, “being a nationalist in the PLQ is like being a PQ member in [la circonscription] D’Arcy-McGee”.
This image, which strikes the imagination, is that of Maxime Binette, a young 24-year-old activist from the Vaudreuil region, present at the opening of the general council of the party in Victoriaville. He says he is inspired by the opinion piece by Jérôme Turcotte, published Friday in The Press. According to this former chairman of the party’s political commission and former policy director for former leader Dominique Anglade, the PLQ looks like a provincial branch of the federal Liberals who have lost their Quebecness.
Mr. Binette sighs when he hears the tenors of the party affirm that the militants must reconnect with “liberal values”, enumerating each time the economic development, the protection of the environment or social justice, for example.
“Liberal values are values that are universal! No one is against. […] Now, there is a value on which the PLQ can bet and it is the one where we identify with Quebec. Where we defend Quebec. Where we defend the values of Quebec. Unfortunately, it’s the one we talk about the least,” he says.
Shake the cage
A few meters from him, Jérôme Turcotte – who is in Victoriaville to explain to the activists why he is handing over his membership card – prays that they avoid “the trap of comfort”.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Jérôme Turcotte, liberal activist
“They have to take the most uncomfortable positions possible to go towards […] the French-speaking liberal nationalist electorate,” he said.
Mr. Turcotte says there are 15,000 members left in the party today. However, in all regions of Quebec, thousands of members who no longer recognize themselves are waiting. It’s time, he told them, to come together.
During his press scrum, which surprises (or disturbs), the deputy Frédéric Beauchemin – who does not hide his possible intentions to embark on the race for the leadership – interrupts him. He asks him if he’s not tired and if he wants a coffee. “It’s okay Fred, don’t worry,” he replies before answering the other questions.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
The Liberal MP for Marguerite-Bourgeoys, Frédéric Beauchemin
What nationalism?
Mr. Turcotte is not interested in the next party leadership race. He says he has no intention of showing up.
I don’t believe in the saviour. The messiah came 2000 years ago and he will not return. We will have to organize ourselves and define ourselves.
Jérôme Turcotte, liberal activist
According to him, there are two types of nationalism in Quebec: the nationalism of emancipation, which he wishes to embody in the Liberal Party, and the nationalism of withdrawal, even “clerical”, represented by the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) of François Legault.
Frédéric Beauchemin claims to be an “inclusive” nationalist, who puts the future of Quebec first through economic development. His fellow MP Monsef Derraji, who is also expected to be at the starting line of the race, adds that Mr. Legault “does not have a monopoly on nationalism”.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Liberal MP for Nelligan and Official Opposition House Leader Monsef Derraji
According to him, the Liberals must by their actions and their proposals demonstrate that they are defending Quebec, even within the Canadian framework. “Thereafter, Quebecers will have love” towards us, hopes Mr. Derraji.
“A pivotal moment”
Antoine Dionne Charest, who is a member of the political committee and the recovery committee co-chaired by former senator André Pratte and deputy Madwa-Nika Cadet, believes that his party is at a “pivotal moment” in its history. .
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Antoine Dionne Charest, member of the political commission of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) and of the party’s revival committee
“We are worried. The party is in a rather serious situation. The party is at a pivotal moment in its history. We are right to be worried and we are right to come together today,” he said.
He sees with a good eye that Jérôme Turcotte is present in Victoriaville, despite his recent exit. The time is up for debate, he said, in order to clearly define what the Liberal Party of Quebec is.
“We are starting to relaunch the party. There is a key word in my opinion for the Liberals, it is assume yourself, “said Mr. Dionne Charest.
Since the election of the CAQ, if there is one thing that is clear, it is that we need a credible alternative [à ce gouvernement]. The PLQ can only be this alternative if it assumes responsibility.
Antoine Dionne Charest, member of the political commission of the PLQ
Rules for later
While the word “nationalist” is on everyone’s lips in Victoriaville, and activists are debating how to embody it, the Liberals are postponing the announcement of the rules that will govern the next leadership race. The president of the party, Rafael P. Ferraro, ensures that they will be unveiled shortly, probably this fall.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Former Senator André Pratte
Until then, the PLQ is continuing its recovery work. “There is no panic, there is no chicanery, there are no tears within the party”, assures André Pratte.
Interim chef Marc Tanguay believes that the recovery committee’s report should be respected by all aspiring chefs. He too does not close the door to becoming a candidate.
To the subjects of the nationalists who lack air, Mr. Tanguay assures that “the place is there”. He adds that his party “did not wait for Jérôme’s paper [Turcotte] to recognize” its challenges and that we must “clearly do better.