Quebec Liberals Begin Leadership Race to Boost Electoral Success

The Quebec Liberal leadership race began on Monday with candidates securing endorsements, aiming to broaden the party’s appeal after years of being out of power.

Four candidates have officially joined the race, including Pablo Rodriguez, a former federal Liberal cabinet minister; Denis Coderre, a former Montreal mayor and ex-Liberal MP; Charles Milliard, the former head of the federation of Quebec chambers of commerce; and tax lawyer Marc Bélanger.

On Monday, sitting Quebec Liberal member Frédéric Beauchemin withdrew from the race to support Rodriguez, citing him as the candidate who can unify Quebecers.

Rodriguez, 57, is considered the front-runner, but faces challenges due to his tenure in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government. Charles Milliard, with an endorsement from former Quebec Liberal finance minister Raymond Bachand, emphasized his non-political career and ability to unite party members across generations.

Quebec Liberals are facing low support in the regions, especially among francophone voters, according to Bachand. He expressed concerns that Rodriguez’s ties to the federal Liberal party may not resonate well with voters in Quebec.

The Quebec Liberal party experienced significant losses in recent elections, holding only 19 seats out of 125 in the provincial legislature. The party aims to regain support among francophone voters outside Montreal and emphasize economic stewardship and minority rights for provincial prosperity.

The new Quebec Liberal leader will be elected on June 14, following Dominique Anglade’s resignation in late 2022. In the meantime, Marc Tanguay is serving as interim leader.

The leadership campaign coincides with the Liberal Party of Canada’s leadership race to succeed Trudeau.