(Gatineau) Charles Milliard fears that the probable arrival of a federal minister like Pablo Rodriguez in the race for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) will transform the political party into a provincial branch of Justin Trudeau’s Liberals. He asks the aspiring leaders to make a “profession of faith” towards Quebec.
Mr. Milliard, who until recently headed the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ), was in Gatineau this Tuesday as part of a regional PLQ conference in Outaouais, where the party is also holding its pre-sessional caucus this week.
The man who has already confirmed that he will be at the starting line in the race to succeed Dominique Anglade as head of the Liberals is throwing a jab at his future adversaries, not to mention the federal Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Pablo Rodriguez, Federal Minister of Transport
“They will have to make a certain profession of faith towards Quebec and explain how they can embody renewal, because that is what we need in the party,” he said.
Charles Milliard also announced that he will be a candidate in the 2026 provincial elections, whether he wins the party leadership race or not. Could he run in the by-election that will be held in the coming months in Terrebonne, in the context where the Legault government must replace its resigning minister Pierre Fitzgibbon? The answer is no.
Mr. Milliard, however, intends to be a candidate in the next elections outside the Island of Montreal, he said. According to him, the revival of the PLQ involves, among other things, a region like the Outaouais, where the party suffered a setback in the last election.
Having campaigned in the past for the former Progressive Conservative Party in Ottawa as well as for the Liberal Party, Mr. Milliard promises to present an “extreme centre” platform, he who defines himself as “perhaps centre right”, but who assures that he has strong social projects in his pipeline.
Tax lawyer Marc Bélanger was also in Gatineau on Tuesday. Originally from Matane, he lives in Outaouais and works in Montreal and also intends to be at the starting line in the PLQ leadership race. Former Montreal mayor and announced candidate in the race, Denis Coderre, was not present.
The PLQ leadership race will be divided into four phases. It will begin on January 13, 2025, and four debates will be held between April 12 and June 8, 2025. Members will then vote over a six-day period, between June 9 and June 14, 2025, the day a leadership convention will be held in Quebec City.