(Montreal) A Liberal MP says that “it’s time to be serious” and support federal minister Pablo Rodriguez so that he becomes leader of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ).
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce MP Désirée McGraw has become the first elected member of the Liberal caucus to openly support a candidate expected or declared in the PLQ leadership race.
She was participating Saturday in the congress of the PLQ Youth Commission, which has become an arena for leadership aspirants who have come to solicit support. Under the statutes, members of the youth wing will count for a third of the votes in the election of the leader.
At 6% in the French-speaking electorate according to the latest polls, the party is counting on this race, among other things, to bounce back.
Mr. Rodriguez, who held the Transport portfolio in the Trudeau cabinet, indicated earlier this week that he was being asked to make the jump and has not yet confirmed his intentions, although he has not denied his interest.
But already on Saturday at the PLQ Youth Commission congress in Montreal, Mr. Rodriguez’s daughter and his communications director, Jacques Martineau, were present to test the waters.
In a press scrum at the congress, Mr.me McGraw was asked to justify her choice, while other potential or declared candidates put forward their merits, including MP Frédéric Beauchemin, former CEO of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce Charles Milliard, and former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre.
But Mr. Rodriguez, who is M’s friendme McGraw has the advantage of a more substantial track record, she argued, challenging her potential opponents with questions.
Who has won so many elections? [que lui] ? Who has already proven himself in Quebec?
Désirée McGraw, Liberal MP for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
According to her, the issue of this PLQ leadership race is to choose who could become the next premier of Quebec.
And so, Mr. Rodriguez has the makings of a prime minister, just like Jean Lesage, who was a federal minister before becoming leader of the PLQ and premier of Quebec in 1960, argued Mr.me McGraw.
“He’s a winner, he’s shown it in the past,” advocated activist Elliott Grondin in a press scrum. “He’s brought gains for Quebec.”
“Mr. Rodriguez is someone who takes care of his people,” added Noah Lepage.
“He is the federal Minister of Transport, but he is able to take care of the people in his riding and that is what he can bring to Quebec.”
In the morning, Mr. Beauchemin and Mr. Milliard addressed the media surrounded by their young supporters, while Mr. Coderre also took part in a press scrum, affirming that he had support everywhere on the ground.
For 10 years
Mr. Milliard, who had just confirmed on Friday that he would be in the race, assured Saturday morning that he was committing to Quebec politics for 10 years – as François Legault did when he returned to politics in 2011.
In a press scrum, when he was asked whether he would continue his political commitment even if he is not elected party leader in June 2025, he was categorical.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
After months of rumors and speculation, Charles Milliard confirmed Friday that he was entering the race for the leadership of the PLQ.
“My project in my head is a ten-year project, so it’s a project that is long-term,” he said.
“Whatever happens in the leadership race, although I intend to win it, then in the general election of 2026, 2030, we don’t know what awaits us, but I will be there, for sure.”
Coincidentally, CAQ leader and Premier François Legault also made a 10-year commitment when he launched the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) in 2011.
Mr. Milliard is the second declared candidate in this race, after former Montreal mayor and former federal minister Denis Coderre, who made his intentions known in June.
Mr. Coderre was also present at the convention on Saturday morning and he also assured that he would be a PLQ candidate in Bellechasse in 2026, whether or not he is elected leader of the PLQ.
“Don’t worry, they’re ‘stuck’ with me!” he said in a press scrum.
“I’m showing up, no matter what happens, I’m going to be there,” he continued.
Mr. Beauchemin, even though he has expressed his interest in the position of leader, has not yet made it official that he is making the jump.
Another potential candidate whose name has been circulating, Victoriaville Mayor Antoine Tardif, was not present on Saturday.
The PLQ leadership campaign officially begins in January. Candidates have until April 11 to officially submit their candidacy. The leadership convention will be held on June 14, 2025.
The Liberals are betting on this race for their recovery and have even dangled the prospect of their return to power in 2026.
“Destined to govern, the Liberal Party is still alive,” assured the president of the congress, Amanda Fakihi, to applause.
“The revival of the Liberal Party is underway,” declared interim leader Marc Tanguay in his final speech.
He believes that at the end of the exercise, “because we will have been able to regain the trust of all Quebecers, because we will have deserved it”, the PLQ will represent the only alternative option to the CAQ government.
And on election night in October 2026, “probably around 9:20 p.m., we will hear the famous phrase: if the trend continues, the next government is a majority Liberal government,” he concluded to applause.