(Quebec) The announced candidate in the race for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ), Denis Coderre, believes that federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez “is making a mistake” in gauging his support among the provincial Liberals. The former mayor of Montreal rather saw him facing Valérie Plante in the next municipal elections.
Mr. Coderre says that “the timing is bad” for Mr. Rodriguez, in the context where Justin Trudeau’s political lieutenant in Quebec should, according to him, be concentrating fully on helping the Liberal Party of Canada win the by-election in LaSalle–Émard–Verdun on September 16, rather than thinking about continuing his political career in Quebec.
A few days ago, before the information that Mr. Rodriguez was considering running for the leadership of the PLQ was published in the media, the two men spoke on the phone, says Mr. Coderre.
“Pablo, he’s a buddy“I was also a Quebec lieutenant. When it no longer suited me, I resigned,” said Mr. Coderre, a former federal MP in the Bourassa riding in Montreal from 1997 to 2013.
“He’s an excellent politician. We did each other a favor. He has an exceptional office. […] But I know the provincial Liberals don’t want to be a branch of Ottawa. I think it’s a drag on him,” he adds.
According to Mr. Coderre, who is traveling throughout the provincial ridings this summer to meet with activists and citizens and to build a team on the ground, Pablo Rodriguez’s hands are tied in the face of the unpopular decisions made by the Trudeau government in Ottawa, which have displeased Quebecers, while he is still an influential member of the federal cabinet to this day.
Asked earlier this week by The Press On his intentions, Mr. Rodriguez left the suspense hanging. “I can’t say anything for the next few days,” he replied. He has not given any interviews since. On Sunday, Mr. Rodriguez also released a statement in which he said that PLQ activists were encouraging him to run for the party leadership.
“As Minister of Transport and Quebec lieutenant in Justin Trudeau’s government, I am proud to work hard for the good of Quebecers and all Canadians. I am sincerely touched by the many requests I have received to return to where it all began for me,” he wrote.
Timid reactions to the PLQ
In Quebec, the member for the Marguerite-Bourgeoys riding in Montreal, Fédéric Beauchemin, declared that “the potential arrival of Pablo is good news for having a broad debate of ideas, which is what the PLQ needs.”
“Each aspiring candidate comes with a certain amount of experience and a track record that will allow them to contribute in their own way to the revival of the party and help Quebec for generations to come. As for me, I am eager to jump into the race and will make an announcement at the appropriate time,” he said.
The chief whip of the official opposition, MP Filomena Rotiroti – a personal friend of Mr. Rodriguez – says for her part that “Pablo is indeed a long-time friend whom I appreciate very much”, but that “because of my role as whip within the caucus, I have a duty of neutrality that I want to respect”.
To date, only Denis Coderre has confirmed that he will be at the starting line of the party leadership race, which will begin on January 13. The new leader will be elected on June 14 in Quebec City.
The former president of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, Charles Milliard, who recently resigned from his position, is also preparing his arrival. The two men will be present this weekend in Montreal for the Young Liberals convention. The mayor of Victoriaville, Antoine Tardif, former advisor to federal MP Alain Rayes, is also considering running.
With Tommy Chouinard and Joël-Denis BellavanceThe Press