(Quebec) Charles Milliard of the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) has been approached by Justin Trudeau’s troops to run in the ongoing LaSalle-Emert-Verdun by-election. Major Interest Party, indicating that he “considered” then “turned down” an opportunity to focus on the provincial Liberals’ leadership contest.
“There are people in the party who invited me to present this motion. […] I said no and I think they were disappointed,” Charles Milliard told The Canadian Press.
“When you get calls from political leaders, take time to think about it. That’s even more flattering. I took a day or two to think about it, but it became clear to me that PLQ was my passion,” he added.
Charles Milliard assures that he has not agreed to present himself, and then withdraws. “People like to believe that I said ‘yes’ when I said no,” he said.
“I have refused a safe federal riding to commit myself to the leadership of PLQ, so if we are looking for evidence of commitment, there is another,” said Mr. Milliard added.
Charles Milliard’s name for the leadership of the PLQ had been floating behind the scenes for months. Last June, he announced his resignation as president and general manager of the Quebec Chamber of Commerce (FCCQ). Last Friday, Charles Milliard announced his official candidacy for the position of Dominic Anglade.
An area that makes waves
The riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun has been vacant since the resignation of David Lametty on January 31, months after he was excluded from the cabinet during last summer’s cabinet reshuffle.
Justin Trudeau’s decision to prevent Liberal aspirants from choosing their own candidate in this by-election, instead choosing municipal councilor Laura Palestine last June, angered three aspiring candidates who spent five months in vain campaigning for the inauguration.
The Liberals have won LaSalle-Émard-Verdun in all three elections since the riding was created. During the last election, David Lametti was re-elected with 42.9% of the vote. The Bloc Québécois (BQ) candidate had nearly half the vote (22.1%), with the New Democratic Party (NDP) third with a similar result (19.4%) and the Conservatives with 7.5%.
However, according to poll coordinator 338Canada, we’re headed for a three-way contest between the PLC, NDP and BQ.
Polling for the constituency will be held on September 16.
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