I chose the word phoenix well because this fabulous bird always rises from its ashes after being completely burned. And this is precisely the current situation of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ).
It must be admitted, the PLQ, as we know it, is completely burned. We can no longer pick up the broken pots, the PLQ must rebuild itself from scratch, but this time on solid foundations and representative of the values of Quebec in the 21st century.e century. How to do ?
According to my modest experience as an activist and lawyer practicing in governance, the following four axes must be tackled: redefining the relationship between party, leadership and parliamentary wing, party governance, activism and Quebec identity.
Redefining the relationship between the party, the leadership and the parliamentary wing
Currently, the leader of the PLQ has a lot of power within the party. Indeed, article 24 of the Constitution of the PLQ says this: “The leader directs the Party and is responsible for all activities. This formula is, in my opinion, outdated and causes a lot of problems. The party leader does not deal with the internal management of the party. His role is rather to lead the parliamentary wing and to chair the government if the party wins the elections.
How can we reconcile the defense of the interests of all Quebecers of all political or non-political allegiances in the National Assembly and the defense of the interests of the party and its members?
Very often there will be discrepancies. This could create an unhealthy conflict of interest when one is both party leader and leader of the parliamentary wing or prime minister.
In my view, the solution is to redefine this relationship between the party and the leadership by institutionalizing the latter. This would make the chiefdom, among other things, subject to accountability rules. However, it must be transformed into a relationship of collaboration instead of a relationship of subordination.
QLP governance
The party’s governance structure must be changed, in particular that of the board of directors, the commissions, the youth wing and especially the criteria and process for choosing candidates during elections, all in order to give more power to activists and members of the party, and not to those in charge of communications, paid to restore the image of the chief by exercising an extreme intellectual sport to say nothing! This way of doing things has fueled cynicism, both within the PLQ and in the population.
Activism
Since the moment when liberalism became a vehicle for defending the economy to the detriment of human rights, social justice, the fight against poverty, the environment and respect for rights and freedoms, politics has become an agent of division instead of being an agent of union.
We are currently faced with career politicians and not service politicians. The politician wants to keep his position at any cost to the detriment of the main reason for which he was elected, namely the best interest of the citizens.
The party’s distancing from its initial role of being a vector of change and progress caused a total disconnection of its militants and its members who felt devalued.
Quebec identity
The other day, Mathieu Bock-Côté asked the following relevant question: “Does the PLQ want to have a Quebec vision of Canada or a Canadian vision of Quebec? »
I agree 100% with him and answer in the affirmative. Indeed, we must adopt a Quebec vision of Canada in accordance with the slogan adopted by the party during its 150e anniversary: ”Being Quebecois is our way of being Canadian”.
Quebec is a distinct society, not because we are different human beings from other Canadians, but because we are a francophone nation.
The PLQ must say this very clearly and without any ambiguity. But beware, all Quebecers of all origins are equal. You don’t have to undress Pierre to dress Paul!
As long as we live in an English ocean, French will always be in danger. So, all Quebecers (francophones, anglophones and allophones) must work together to protect this language. The PLQ must clearly define its plan for the protection of French, but in concert with Anglophones.
In short, everyone is now talking about who will be the next leader of the PLQ. Many names circulate. Before racking our brains over this, let’s first rebuild the party and reconcile with the activists, our identity and the population. Nevertheless, one thing is certain, this leader, man or woman, should never be a career politician, but a service politician!
* The author was notably president of the regional political commission of Laval and member of the national political commission of the Liberal Party of Quebec