The PLC had courted Charles Milliard, who “considered” then “refused”

Photo: Valérian Mazataud Archives Le Devoir “I refused a safe federal riding to devote myself to the leadership of the PLQ, so if we are looking for proof of commitment, there is another one there,” argued Charles Milliard.

Thomas Laberge – The Canadian Press in Quebec City

Published at 3:05 p.m. Updated at 3:27 p.m.

• Quebec City

The aspiring leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) Charles Milliard was approached by Justin Trudeau's troops to run in the by-election in LaSalle – Émard – Verdun, whose campaign is currently taking place. The main person concerned indicates having “considered” then “refused” the offer to concentrate on the race for the leadership of the provincial Liberals.

“There are people in the party who called me to make this proposal. […] I said no and I think they were disappointed,” Charles Milliard told The Canadian Press.

“When you get calls from leaders politics, you take the time to think about it. It’s still flattering. I took a day or two to think about it, but for me it was clear that the PLQ was my interest,” he added.

Charles Milliard assures that he did not agree to present himself and then retracted. “People would like people to believe that I said 'yes,' when I refused,” he said.

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“I refused a safe federal county to devote myself to the leadership of the PLQ, so if we are looking for proof of commitment, there is another one there,” added Mr. Billion.

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Charles Milliard's name for the PLQ leadership had been circulating behind the scenes for several months. Last June, he announced that he was leaving his position as president and CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) to reflect. And last Friday, Charles Milliard announced that he was officially entering the race to succeed Dominique Anglade.

A by-election that makes waves

The riding of LaSalle — Émard — Verdun has been vacant since David Lametti resigned on January 31, a few months after being excluded from cabinet in last summer’s cabinet shuffle.

Justin Trudeau’s decision to prevent Liberal activists from choosing their candidate in this by-election, and instead choose city councillor Laura Palestini last June, has angered three aspiring candidates who campaigned in vain for five months for the nomination.

The Liberals have won in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun in all three elections since the riding was created. In the last election, David Lametti was re-elected with 42.9% of the vote. The Bloc Québécois candidate received almost half as many votes (22.1%), the New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate came in third with a similar result (19.4%) and the Conservatives got 7.5%.

However, according to poll aggregator 338Canada, this time we are heading more towards a three-way race between the LPC, NDP and Bloc.

The vote for the by-election will take place on September 16.