(Quebec) The president and CEO of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec (FCCQ), Charles Milliard, is multiplying calls and meetings in what is becoming the worst kept secret on Parliament Hill: he is preparing the ground for his arrival in the race for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ). If he has not yet confirmed that he will be on the starting line, more than 80 young liberals are joining forces to convince him to make the jump. MP André Fortin would welcome his arrival.
The son of former liberal minister Sébastien Proulx and current vice-president of external affairs of the party’s youth commission (CJPLQ), Nicolas Proulx, the vice-president of internal affairs, Maïa Gonthier, and the regional president of the metropolitan region from Quebec, Théo Mazroui, transmitted to The Press an open letter signed by 81 young Liberal members and supporters to convince Mr. Milliard, 44, “to run for the leadership of the Liberal Party1 “. They see him as the ideal candidate to “propose a political project that will reconnect with Quebecers”.
PHOTO PASCAL RATTHÉ, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Nicolas Proulx
“Currently, we are not in the process of forming his campaign team, but we are bringing together people who want his candidacy. We want to send the message to activists who want Mr. Milliard to join our [mouvement] », Explains Mr. Proulx, who will give a press scrum this Saturday at the general council of the PLQ in Bromont, surrounded by around twenty signatories.
In their letter, the young Liberals write that “the PLQ is at a crossroads” and that the next leader must “have the experience and credibility necessary to [qu’il] becomes once again the true party of the economy.” This theme will also be debated throughout the weekend in Estrie, while the national political commission of the PLQ, chaired by André Pratte, proposes to establish the increase in “productivity” as such a promising project for the history of Quebec as was the construction of large hydroelectric dams.
For the young liberals who have been blowing in the sails of the CEO of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce since 2019 and former vice-president of Uniprix pharmacies, he is the perfect man to succeed Dominique Anglade at the head of the party. According to our information, Mr. Milliard has been asked in recent months to enter the race, but he also met former organizers, former elected officials and deputies to discuss with them. In the current caucus, the member for Pontiac in Outaouais, André Fortin, would only have good words for him.
His potential adversaries
Barring an unexpected turnaround in the situation, the MP for Marguerite-Bourgeoys and spokesperson for the official opposition on the economy and finances, Frédéric Beauchemin, should also confirm his candidacy in the not too distant future. Officially in “reflection”, he recently obtained the support of former Finance Minister Carlos Leitão.
Among the other names circulating widely, the president and CEO of the Conseil du patronat du Québec (CPQ), Karl Blackburn, is cited as a potential candidate still under consideration. The Press also revealed this week that Liberals from the conservative wing of the party were encouraging the mayor of Victoriaville, Antoine Tardif, to try his luck. The former mayor of Montreal, Denis Coderre, must also confirm his intentions later this spring.
To date, no women have indicated an interest in entering the race. The party’s interim leader, Marc Tanguay, said Wednesday that he hoped the situation would change. The next Liberal leader will be elected by members on June 14, 2025 in Quebec. To win, a candidate must obtain at least 50% of the votes +1. According to the formula adopted by the party, the votes of young people (under 26 years old) count for a third of the result.
In Europe, Coderre prepares his return
From the road to Compostela where he is walking this month, Denis Coderre sends a message to the liberal activists who are meeting this weekend in general council: “the PLQ needs to find itself”. And obviously, the former mayor wants to ensure that the party finds him on his route this fall, in the context where he promises to visit the 125 ridings of Quebec.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Denis Coderre.
In interview with The Presswhile pell-mell declining priorities such as nationalizing water or giving cities the power to negotiate directly with Ottawa, Mr. Coderre affirms that he has had the impression in recent times that “everything that has 45 years and over is a disposable diaper.
“In the Liberal Party, we need someone on the ground, known and recognized, who connects with people. Someone who has great notoriety and management capacity,” he says. The former mayor will return to Montreal on May 31. He promises to attend the national funeral of Jean-Pierre Ferland in June and should make it official, before the summer, that he is on the starting line.
Read the open letter from the Youth Commission of the Liberal Party of Quebec
What there is to know
Liberal activists are meeting in general council this Saturday and Sunday in Bromont to vote on resolutions concerning the economy. Their priority is to improve business productivity.
More than 80 young activists and liberal sympathizers sign an open letter, sent to The Pressto encourage the president and CEO of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec, Charles Milliard, to enter the race.
Like other aspiring leaders, Mr. Milliard has met party members, including MPs, in recent weeks to explore the situation.