(Quebec) “The weak link in the current government is called François Legault,” said Denis Coderre on Friday, announcing his candidacy for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ). He denounces his “identitarian nationalism” and pleads that the future of the Quebec nation depends on immigration.
Denis Coderre pulled in all directions during his press conference in front of parliament: he pleaded for the nationalization of water and the opening of CSLCs 24 hours a day, he condemned systemic racism against of the natives, he deplored that “we infantilize the elders and that we park in rabbit cages”, he praised the management of Philippe Couillard’s government (“let me go with austerity!” he said). But above all, the former mayor of Montreal and federal Minister of Immigration attacked François Legault and his “identitarian nationalism”.
“It’s not Maurice Duplessis we’re seeing, it’s Lionel Groulx!” » accused Mr. Coderre.
“There aren’t too many immigrants!” » he said, while Mr. Legault is putting pressure on Ottawa to halve the number of temporary immigrants. “Immigration is labor. […] We can’t say on the one hand, there are too many immigrants and then say that it doesn’t make sense, there’s a shortage of people. Hello ! »
He condemns the words of François Legault according to whom “100% of the housing problem comes from the increase in the number of temporary immigrants”. “When we walk around La Pocatière, you won’t make me believe that the housing problems are because of immigration. It’s because there are 200 students going to La Pocatière CEGEP and who need housing. That’s not immigration,” he said.
Denis Coderre recognizes that the issue of “integration” of immigrants is important and says he is in favor of Law 21 on state secularism. “Yes, they must speak French. But give them a job, reunite families, and they’re going to be so happy, they’re going to give it to you. Stop sugarcoating immigrants,” he said.
Denis Coderre draws on his experience and had a ready response to those who criticize him for not embodying renewal. “Someone should explain to me what renewal is when you have a PQ who wants to hold a third referendum on the independence of Quebec… We need experienced politicians. What I offer is: I have already made decisions, I have already experienced crises, I know the game, and I have experienced parties that were on the ground only to rise again and return to power. It’s okay to be underestimated. It’s okay to look down on me. But what’s important is on the floor, you walk. » He says he is running for the leadership, among other things, to “put the kibosh on” the sovereignist project and the “flavor of the moment” that the Parti Québécois represents.
He was surrounded by around ten people, including former MPs Norbert Morin and Raymond Bernier, as well as his campaign manager Christian Therrien, a long-time liberal organizer. “I invite all those who feel overwhelmed, all the disappointed liberals, all the liberals who stayed at home because they were ashamed of voting for other things, to come back,” said Mr. Coderre. He will tour the 125 ridings and wants to organize a “spaghetti dinner” in each of them.
Whether he wins or loses the leadership race, the former mayor of Montreal wants to run in the rural riding of Bellechasse, on the South Shore of Quebec. “I’m not from the place, I’m a parachute, but I’m going to buy a house there, don’t worry,” said the former mayor of Montreal, in favor of a third highway link between Quebec and Lévis.
The citizens of Bellechasse. “I’ll be happy to see them. I went to Normandin’s a couple of times, and it was good.”
According to the electoral projections site Qc125, based on polls, the PLQ is in fifth position in this riding, with a starving 5%. The Conservative Party of Quebec (32%) is just ahead of the Coalition Avenir Québec (30%). The Parti Québécois is third at 23% and Québec solidaire follows at 7%.
The CAQ won this riding from the Liberal Party in 2018. MP Stéphanie Lachance obtained a second mandate in 2022 with 45.7% of the vote. The Conservative Party finished second with 35.3%. The PLQ collected crumbs, 4%, which earned it fifth place.