Jean Charest continues to be desired by the Conservatives who would like to see him run for the leadership of their party. The former Premier of Quebec has still not confirmed whether he will be a candidate, but he came to meet some forty caucus members in Ottawa on Wednesday evening to listen to them, sometimes reassure them and introduce himself to these conservatives who, in some cases, do not know him.
Accompanied by his wife, Michèle Dionne, Jean Charest appeared before the journalists visibly not unhappy to find the cameras. “I come to meet a group of parliamentarians, members of the caucus,” he explained of his visit to the federal capital. “And we will make the decision when we know the rules [de la course]. We’re not there yet. But the day is approaching,” he hinted.
Many Quebec Conservatives have been courting Mr. Charest for weeks now. In this spirit of persuasion, the deputy and former lieutenant of the party in Quebec, Alain Rayes, had invited his fellow senators and deputies to come and meet the former politician who is thinking of getting into the race to become leader of the Conservative Party.
Mr. Charest had a message to share with them when he arrived in the evening. “One subject I think we will all agree on is the importance and responsibility of the Conservative Party of Canada to the country. Because we need parties that are national in scope. It is absolutely essential, ”he argued in an impromptu press. “It means a political party that is true to its history, that represents every region of Canada, and that presents a very inclusive vision for the future of Canada. »
Behind closed doors, Mr. Charest talked to them about the referendum, the war in Ukraine and the natural resources to be sold in Europe to replace the continent’s dependence on Russia.
Words that pleased Saskatchewan MP Randy Hoback. “It gave me enough to pique my curiosity enough to ask more questions,” he commented, visibly intrigued even though he has not yet decided which candidate he will support. His colleague Kevin Waugh, also from Saskatchewan, was also pleased that the issue of oil and natural gas had been addressed.
Ontario’s Larry Brock said he was “impressed”. “I think he’s going to unite the party like we’ve never seen him before,” he shared, without committing himself to Camp Charest either.
The issue of natural resources also preoccupied Albertan Greg McLean when he arrived at the reception. The member could not predict whether Mr. Charest would be well received in the West – where some denounce that he created a carbon exchange when he headed the Quebec government. “We will have to test the waters and see if there is appetite [dans l’Ouest] for someone who was Premier of Quebec,” acknowledged Mr. McLean.
Just as Mr. Charest arrived at the meeting, Alberta MP Shannon Stubbs — who endorsed Pierre Poilievre — recalled on Twitter that Mr. Charest, like Justin Trudeau, created a carbon pricing plan, defended the gun registry shoulder and raised taxes when he was Prime Minister. Criticisms also heard from other western conservatives.
Waiting — again — for the rules
Many, when they arrived at the reception, said they would first come to listen to the politician who left the federal scene 24 years ago and whom they had not yet had the opportunity to meet. When they left, some said they were impressed that Jean Charest still had “the sacred fire” or observed the “charisma” of the politician.
Quebeckers — almost all of whom were present — said they were convinced that Jean Charest would be able to unify the Conservative Party. “I know the man well. I know his determination. I know that this is the person we need to unite the forces of our party,” said federal MP and former minister of the Charest government, Dominique Vien.
To see in video
About forty deputies and senators had moved to the Château Laurier hotel, a stone’s throw from Parliament, to listen to the man who seems more and more ready to relaunch himself in the federal political arena. Two years ago, when Mr. Charest considered running for office before giving it up, he had not organized such a meeting with parliamentarians.
Mr. Charest had finally abandoned the idea of running for the leadership because he felt that the race, too fast, would have prevented him from carrying out “a viable campaign”, he recalled.
The third of the caucus at the rendezvous
The Conservative caucus brings together 119 deputies and 16 senators. Of these, six on the Commons side and five on the Upper House side are part of the party’s leadership teams in Parliament and therefore have a duty of reserve in the race. Added to this are the 35 Conservatives who have already given their support to Pierre Poilievre – the only candidate who has so far announced himself in the race.
There were therefore 89 deputies or senators to court for the Charest camp. Of this number, just over 40 accepted the invitation to meet him, and 39 showed up.
Among the Quebec Conservatives, only the elected Pierre Paul-Hus did not move. Deputy Luc Berthold and Senator Judith Seidman were also absent, but they are part of the leadership teams. Senators Leo Housakos and Claude Carignan support Pierre Poilievre.
Jean Charest will meet individually with 15 other MPs in Ottawa on Thursday.