Quebec Liberal Party leadership race officially begins

Pablo Rodriguez, former Transport Minister, launches his Quebec Liberal leadership bid.

The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) leadership race is officially getting underway on Monday.

Charles Milliard, former CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, has already scheduled a morning press briefing in front of the party’s Montreal headquarters.

Former federal minister Pablo Rodriguez is also slated to hold a press conference in Montreal in the morning.

Other announced candidates include tax lawyer Marc Bélanger and former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre.

A fifth candidate, Frédéric Beauchemin, the MNA for Marguerite-Bourgeoys, will reportedly no longer be running.

He is expected to announce on Monday that he is withdrawing from the race to support Rodriguez.

The PLQ has been without an official leader since 2022 when Dominique Anglade resigned after the party’s disappointing election results.

LaFontaine MNA Marc Tanguay has been acting as interim leader.

To make things official, candidates for the Liberal leadership must collect 750 signatures from party members in 70 ridings and 12 regions.

At least 350 signatures must come from “new members,” that is, people who have been members since May 27, 2024.

Candidates are required to contribute $40,000, and authorized election expenses for each candidate are maximized at $400,000.

The new leader is expected to be announced on June 14.

-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 13, 2024.