Crisis in the PLQ | Under pressure, Rodriguez tries to fight back
(Quebec) Liberal leader Pablo Rodriguez is attempting a response and seeking the support of riding association presidents, at a time when the noose is tightening on him. A dozen former deputies and ministers sign a letter demanding his resignation. A first former elected official who had supported him in the leadership race asked him to withdraw. And the support of a deputy is weakening.
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The leader is still hanging on, despite the Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) investigation into allegations of embezzlement and influence peddling in his leadership campaign. He brushed aside questions about calls for resignation early Thursday evening, upon his arrival at a party cocktail in a restaurant on Grande Allée in Quebec.
“I come to see a bunch of liberals who are braving the storm to get together, to talk about the party, then to talk about the future,” he replied under the snow when he arrived at the event. In the morning, he even said he was convinced of “beating the CAQ and the Parti Québécois” in the next elections.
According to our information, the Rodriguez clan is preparing a counterattack. He is circulating a letter in support of the leader which has been signed so far by about 40 riding association presidents. It is entitled “Pablo Rodriguez is still the leader the PLQ needs”.
“On the eve of the next election, now is not the time to try to rewrite history, to change the results of the leadership race. The PLQ cannot allow itself to act under the influence of emotion, nor to be guided by improvisation. And in times like this, the unity behind the leader matters more than ever,” the letter reads.
“I’m tired,” says Derraji
The pressure increased a notch Thursday as a member’s support for the leader became very uncertain.
Asked whether Mr. Rodriguez can remain in office, Monsef Derraji said: “To answer your question, these are not easy times for the Liberal Party. These are extremely difficult times. We have a job to do, and that’s why I’m tired today. »
He did not give clear support to the leader. “These are extremely difficult times. Every day we learn news. I would like to point out that I was not in any candidate’s race. So I’m like you, I read the articles, I have to digest them, I have to ask questions. […] To be rigorous, you have to ask the right questions and listen to the answers. This is what I do, this is what I have always done since the beginning,” he explained on the sidelines of a caucus meeting.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESS
Monsef Derraji, liberal MP
I deplore the situation because instead of talking about the concerns of Quebecers, we spend the time talking about a race.
Monsef Derraji, liberal MP
To a question in English about calls for resignation from former ministers and increasing pressure on the leader, Mr. Derraji simply replied: “I respect that. » Then he rushed into the meeting room.
Billion remains silent
A letter demanding the leader’s head is about to be released. Veteran Raymond Bernier, who served in the National Assembly for about 12 years, is collecting signatures with the help of Stéphane Bertrand, former director general of the party and chief of staff to Jean Charest.
“I certainly have a dozen,” Mr. Bernier told The Press. “I’m still getting phones right now. You talk to me there, and the calls come in. »
During the leadership race, MM. Bernier and Bertrand supported Karl Blackburn, who finished third behind Pablo Rodriguez and Charles Milliard at the June 14 convention. Former president of the Employers’ Council, Mr. Blackburn announced his candidacy at the last minute, at the end of March, after recovering from prostate cancer. As of Wednesday, following the launch of the UPAC investigation, the former deputy and general director of the party encouraged Pablo Rodriguez to think about his political future.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, ARCHIVES SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Charles Milliard, then candidate for leadership of the PLQ
Former president of the Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce, Charles Milliard, now a professor at Bishop’s University, remains silent until now. But some of his supporters, such as former ministers Jean D’Amour, Margaret F. Delisle and Lucie Charlebois, have called for the resignation of Pablo Rodriguez.
For her part, former Charlevoix MP Caroline Simard told local media The Charlevoisian that Mr. Rodriguez “should step down at least temporarily while UPAC completes its investigation.” The leader is thus dropped for the first time by one of his supporters in the leadership race.
“Whether he is white or not, the party and the activists suffer. The party was well positioned. We have to stop the bleeding, but I don’t think we’ve finished learning. If he [Rodriguez] is concerned about his party, he knows what he has to do,” she said.
Excerpts from the letter demanding the resignation of Pablo Rodriguez
“Can the current leader lead the PLQ in such a critical period? Does he have the leadership necessary to lead a victorious campaign? It is clear that the last few months have shown us that it is not. We measure the quality of a leader by how he behaves in the face of adversity and how he defuses a problematic situation. He plunged the party into a slump. »
“We must return to our ways of doing things, because those imported from the federal government create situations that do not correspond to the culture of the PLQ and take us away from the essential. »
“We believe that it would be in the interest of the PLQ for Pablo Rodriguez to resign without delay. This position arises from an objective observation: the party is getting bogged down and time is running out. We are not in a position to conduct an election under such conditions and to represent a credible alternative to the PQ and the CAQ. »
Excerpts from the letter in support of Pablo Rodriguez
“The Liberal Party of Quebec is going through a difficult period. In these moments, stability, courage and strong leadership are needed. We believe that Pablo Rodriguez remains the leader the Quebec Liberal Party needs to win in 2026.”
“Since the start of the crisis, Pablo has assumed his responsibilities and taken important actions. He showed transparency, composure and determination. He never tried to run away: he answered all the questions, asked for all the light to be shed and kept the focus on the best interests of the party. This is exactly what you want from a leader in a storm. »
“Pablo Rodriguez is the man for the job. It is with him that we will be able to join forces, offer Quebecers a real alternative and win in 2026.”
