New Quebec Liberal leadership race to start in January

Former Quebec Liberal Party leader Pablo Rodriguez speaks about his resignation, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (LA PRESSE CANADIENNE/Christinne Muschi)

The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) has confirmed that its new leadership race is scheduled to start on Jan. 12.

The deadline for filing nominations is set for Feb. 13 at 5 p.m., with the leadership convention slated for March 14.

• READ MORE: Quebec Liberal leader Pablo Rodriguez resigns from post

The party notes that the general conditions governing the leadership race include:

• Collecting 750 signatures from members in good standing;
• Paying a deposit of $30,000;
• Complying with an election spending limit of $120,000, excluding the deposit.

“The leadership election will be held in accordance with the PLQ Constitution, using a maximum two-round system,” the party explains. “Each riding will have 3,000 points, including 2,000 points for members aged 26 and over and 1,000 points for members aged 25 and under, distributed among the candidates according to the percentage of votes obtained.”

• READ MORE: Quebec tables bill to ban vote-buying ‘brownies’ in leadership races

The total number of points allocated to the entire ballot is 375,000.

“Members in good standing will be able to exercise their right to vote by telephone and online,” the party continues. “The Quebec Liberal Party invites all members to actively participate in this race, which will determine the future of the party and of Quebec.”

Rapid resignation

The race comes as former leader Pablo Rodriguez resigned from the post after just six months at the party’s helm.

Rodriguez’s short-lived leadership was mired in controversy, beginning with the dismissal of former Liberal parliamentary leader Marwah Rizqy and an alleged cash-for-votes scheme during his own leadership campaign, dubbed “brownies.”

• READ MORE: ‘I took this decision solely out of a sense of duty’: Pablo Rodriguez speaks after resignation

Quebec’s anti-corruption squad (UPAC) opened a criminal investigation into the Quebec Liberal Party on Dec. 10, though Rodriguez has insisted no wrongdoing on his part.

In the wake of the allegations, the provincial government has also tabled a bill to ban vote-buying in leadership races, which was not otherwise illegal.

Potential candidates

Previous leadership candidate Karl Blackburn has declined any intention to run again, while opponent Charles Milliard has not yet confirmed his interest.

For her part, Rizqy, who was kicked out of the Liberal caucus at the beginning of December, has vehemently denied any eagerness for the role.

• READ MORE: Liberal Party crisis: Marwah Rizqy makes first public statement

This will be the second leadership race to replace former PLQ leader Dominique Anglade, who stepped down in November 2022 after the Liberals suffered their worst provincial election defeat ever.

The party notes that the electoral committee, chaired by Nicolas Plourde, has been mandated to oversee its most recent leadership process.

With files from CTV News’ Daniel J. Rowe and The Canadian Press.