A Beauceron launches into the race for leadership of the PLQ

Mario Roy does not fear the big names already interested in leading the PLQ. This farmer and economist from Beauce is jumping into the arena with both feet, because this is what “Quebec needs,” he insists in an interview with The Sun.

When he was younger, the 31-year-old Beauceron was involved in the PLQ Youth Commission. He is now involved in several union circles, his agricultural cooperative and sits on two boards of directors of the Union of Agricultural Producers (UPA).

Mario Roy is completing a master’s degree in agricultural economics at McGill University and operates the family farm with members of his family.

“Old politicians”

At the end of the phone, Mario Roy said he was not impressed by the candidates already announced in the race.

Former federal minister Pablo Rodriguez, former mayor of Montreal Denis Coderre, Charles Milliard and lawyer Marc Bélanger are “old politicians with old ways of doing politics,” according to Beauceron.

“They speak loudly, they have absolutely nothing to offer for Quebec. We don’t need someone like that to become leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, we already have François Legault.”

— Mario Roy, candidate for leadership of the PLQ

Mr. Roy wants to offer “something different” and inspire hope.

In front of names already well known in Quebec like Pablo Rodriguez and Denis Coderre, Mario Roy does not flinch. “Notoriety doesn’t scare me,” he says, confidently.

“The race for [direction] of the Liberal Party was well thought out over a period which will allow the debate of ideas,” continues the candidate. The farmer hopes that the quality of the proposals will take precedence over notoriety.

$40,000 and 750 signatures

Aspiring leaders of the PLQ must deposit $40,000 to the party and collect 750 signatures from members across Quebec, including 350 new members. The task is not easy for a newcomer.

“I won’t hide the fact that it’s a huge challenge, but it’s totally achievable,” says Mario Roy straight away.

In his riding of Beauce-Nord, he believes he has solid support. “There is enormous enthusiasm for a candidate like me. I’ve been talking about it to people around me for several months, I have a solid foundation. I am convinced that it can go far.”

Mario Roy will embark on a tour across the province to gather support in all regions and convince Quebecers to become members of the PLQ to be able to vote for the next leader of the party.

Housing, health, homelessness

For Mario Roy, there is no doubt that the person who will be designated leader of the PLQ at the end of this race will be the next minister of Quebec. And this one must “get back to basics”.

Housing, food and access to health care are therefore at the heart of Mario Roy’s proposal.

“For me, it is unacceptable in a rich society like ours to turn a blind eye to homelessness. To eradicate it, strong measures are needed,” argues the candidate. He proposes to “reduce bureaucracy” to allow the construction of a lot of housing.

In health, the farmer wants to see a “100% public” system and “stop privatization”. “We need to completely change our vision to get the health system back up and running,” he argues.

On the identity level, Mario Roy reiterates the federalist and pro-immigration positions of the PLQ. “A strong Quebec in a united Canada, the complete opposite of what the Parti Québécois is proposing,” insists the candidate. “The world does not want the separation of Quebec. We need a reasonable proposal centered on the unity of Quebec.”