Charles Milliard has officially entered the leadership race for the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ). He aims to succeed Pablo Rodriguez as party leader. Milliard is a former president of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec and a trained pharmacist.
Background and Announcement
Currently teaching at Bishop’s University in Estrie, Milliard will announce his candidacy in a video shared on social media. This information was initially reported by Radio-Canada and later confirmed by La Presse.
Previous Leadership Race Experience
In June, Milliard finished second in the previous leadership voting, which led to Rodriguez’s election. Rodriguez resigned in December due to scandals related to campaign financing.
Potential Competitors
- Yves Desjardins-Siciliano: Former president of VIA Rail Canada and ex-CEO of Siemens Mobility Canada, is considering entering the race.
- Karl Blackburn: Former director-general of the party who finished third previously will not be running this time.
Leadership Race Timeline
The PLQ has announced a quick timeline for the leadership race, with the next general election scheduled for October. The next leader will be elected on March 14 during a party congress. The leadership contest commences on January 12.
Eligibility Requirements
- Candidates must collect signatures from 750 party members in at least 70 ridings and 12 regions.
- A non-refundable fee of $30,000 is required to register as a candidate.
- Authorized electoral expenses for each candidate will be capped at $120,000, excluding the registration fee.
Compliance and Ethics
The PLQ has appointed a new compliance and ethics officer. This individual will ensure that candidates and their teams adhere to electoral regulations, especially regarding fundraising practices. This role aims to prevent the issues that contributed to the crisis within the PLQ last December, following reports of irregularities in Rodriguez’s campaign financing.
