Karl Blackburn to run for Quebec Liberal leadership

Karl Blackburn, president and chief executive officer of the Conseil du patronat du Quebec (CPQ), speaks during a press conference regarding the results of a study on mental health in the workplace, Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Former Roberval MNA Karl Blackburn will announce on Monday that he is running for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ).

On Friday, Blackburn resigned as president and CEO of the Conseil du patronat du Québec, saying he wanted to devote himself to “new professional projects.”

He then immediately invited the media to a news conference to be held on Monday afternoon in Quebec City, where he will make “an important announcement in the PLQ leadership race.”

This is a last-minute change of heart; candidates have until April 11 to submit their candidatures to the party.

Already in the running are former Quebec Chambers of Commerce Federation CEO Charles Millard, former federal minister Pablo Rodriguez, lawyer Marc Bélanger and farmer Mario Roy.

Blackburn was the Liberal MNA for Roberval from 2003 to 2007. He also worked as chief organizer and director general of the PLQ.

In 2013, he was appointed director of public affairs and government relations at Produits forestiers Résolu. He has been head of the Conseil du patronat since 2020.

In recent months, the 57-year-old Chicoutimi native indicated that he would not be a candidate for the leadership of the PLQ due to a prostate cancer diagnosis.

He is now in great shape and ready to take up the challenge, according to information gathered by The Canadian Press.

Candidates have until April 11 to fulfil the conditions required by the party. These include a deposit of $40,000 and the signatures of 750 members in good standing, including 350 new members.

There will be six debates, the first of which will be held on April 27 in Gatineau. The PLQ will elect its new leader on June 14 at the end of a convention to be held in Quebec City.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 28, 2025.