On Feb. 15, the Quebec Liberal Party acclaimed Charles Milliard as their new leader. The uncontested race followed the resignation of former leader Pablo Rodriguez in December, which stemmed from allegations of impropriety during last year’s leadership race as well as his firing of former parliamentary leader Marwah Rizqy. Milliard finished a close second to Rodriguez in last year’s contest.
“I am nationalist, I am regionalist, I am federalist, and no, that is not contradictory,” Milliard told the audience in Trois-Rivières, according to The Canadian Press.
He said that if elected he would prioritize mental health care as well as expanding home care services, as well as holding consultations on education in the province.
A pharmacist by training and former president of the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Milliard has never held elected office federally or provincially, and does not currently have a seat in the National Assembly. He named Pontiac MNA André Fortin as the party’s parliamentary leader in the legislature.
Fortin, who supported Milliard during both his leadership races, said that he was pleased to be part of the team.
“Honoured to be trusted by our party Leader Charles Milliard and to be named Parliamentary Leader of the Liberal Party of Québec,” he wrote in a statement on social media. “Together, and with our solid team of candidates, we will put forward propositions in line with the everyday priorities and the ambitions of Quebecers.”
Fortin was previously named to the role in late November by Rodriguez following Rizqy’s firing. Rizqy was booted from the Liberal caucus by Rodriguez for firing her chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse, a close associate of Rodriguez’s. He said that she didn’t consult him on the move, which has resulted in a lawsuit, calling it a “breach of trust.” Rizqy maintains that she made the decision to preserve her integrity, accusing Hinse of using National Assembly funds for partisan activity and of lying to her.
The Canadian Press also reported that Milliard has called for a caucus meeting on Rizqy’s future with the party.
“This is one of the subjects we will address in the first caucus … I will make a team decision, so I need to discuss it with the team. I am not rushing things,” he said.
