François-Philippe Champagne is seriously considering taking over from Justin Trudeau and launching the race for leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada (PLC). It definitively closes the door to the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ).
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In an interview with TVA on Tuesday afternoon, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry left little room for interpretation.
When asked if he was thinking of getting started, Mr. Champagne said: “Absolutely.”
“I think it’s an important moment. You know, there is a period that has just ended, there is a new era that is beginning.
The minister highlighted his “economic profile” and his work to “redefine the industrial portrait in the country” with the arrival of players in the automobile, artificial intelligence and pharmaceutical industry sectors.
Mr. Champagne has already started to dissociate himself from Justin Trudeau’s record: he already talks about it in the past tense. The minister advocates economic refocusing.
“We made choices at the time. There had been a lot of redistribution, that is, helping people during periods when [ils] needed it most. But that period, honestly, is largely behind us,” he continued.
Rumors concerning the ambitions of François-Philippe Champagne have abounded for years.
Many Quebec Liberals tried to lure him to the Quebec Liberal Party, including some people who now work alongside his former colleague Pablo Rodriguez.
Questioned on this subject, Mr. Champagne was categorical: “the door is closed”, despite the numerous “calls” to convince him.
He explained that his career in Ottawa was his “way” of “defending the interests of Quebec”.
“You know, we have a leadership race here in Ottawa that is starting, so that’s where I’m focusing all my attention,” adds the minister.
Furthermore, a well-informed source who worked for the Trudeau government for years told the Journal that Mr. Champagne would be supported by major financiers of the PLC, Steven Bronfman and André Desmarais.
Originally from Mauricie, François-Philippe Champagne is considered a successor to Jean Chrétien, with whom he has had links for more than 20 years.
He had a career as a business lawyer in Europe before joining Justin Trudeau’s Liberals in 2014. He was in turn Minister of International Trade, Minister of Infrastructure then Minister of Foreign Affairs before achieve Innovation.
