Attacked by his rivals, Liberal leadership candidate Pablo Rodriguez is forced to defend the record of Justin Trudeau’s government.
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“I’m not denying my past, we don’t do that. We do not build the future by denying our past, but I am my own person,” the former federal minister defended on Saturday, on the sidelines of the Congress of the Liberal Party of Quebec which is taking place in Lévis this weekend.
Favorite in the polls, Pablo Rodriguez had nevertheless planned a show of force when he arrived at the event in the morning. He was surrounded by some 80 people dressed in scarves and beige toques bearing his name who came to support his candidacy and who chanted his name. “Pablo! Pablo! Pablo!” echoed through the Convention Center for several minutes.
But it was the crossfire from his opponents that resonated the most. The aspiring Liberal leader responded to the attacks by recalling that he had held important ministerial positions in Ottawa which allowed him to acquire “certain experience”.
“And when we are in a government, we sometimes win, sometimes we lose, but we are united,” he added. He promised to present a program of his own, particularly in economic matters.
Resignation in January
Now an independent member of the House of Commons, Pablo Rodriguez announced his intention to resign from his position at the launch of the leadership race in mid-January.
After Frédéric Beauchemin, who criticized him for being “part of a government where we spent like sailors on the run”, it was Denis Coderre’s turn on Saturday to attack the former federal minister .
“I like Pablo, he’s a friend, but the PLQ is not the federal branch. Not only did he remain an MP, but he endorsed all of Mr. Trudeau’s positions,” he said.
According to candidate Coderre, Rodriguez is “stuck” with the record of the federal Liberal government and he will spend his time defending this heritage. “Everyone has the right to present themselves, but you come with baggage, so you have to be able to defend yourself.”
Charles Milliard in Orford
Also aspiring to the liberal throne, Charles Milliard did not want to shoot at the favorite. However, he announced his intention to run in the Orford constituency in 2026, whether he wins or loses the leadership.
“I have no roots in the region, it’s a choice that I made, I don’t pretend that I’m a guy from the region,” he admitted straight away. However, he has just sold his residence in Mont-Royal to settle in North Hatley. This county, currently represented by CAQ deputy Gilles Bélanger, has long been red in the past.
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