Pablo Rodriguez to resign from cabinet, seek Quebec Liberal leadership: sources
Transport minister expected to make announcement in Gatineau, Que., Thursday
Federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez is expected to resign from cabinet in order to seek the leadership of the Liberal Party of Quebec, CBC News and Radio-Canada sources say.
He is expected to make a statement about his cabinet resignation on Thursday in Gatineau, Que.
CBC News has agreed to keep the identities of the sources confidential because they are not authorized to speak.
Rodriguez also serves as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Quebec lieutenant.
The Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) has been without an official leader since Dominique Anglade resigned following the party's crushing defeat in the Quebec 2022 election. The party won less than 15 per cent of the popular vote — the lowest vote share in its history.
Liberal member of the National Assembly Marc Tanguay was named interim leader but said last year he would not seek the party leadership.
It is believed that Rodriguez's background as an immigrant, a student in Sherbrooke, a member of the youth commission of the Quebec Liberal Party in the 1990s and a federal minister could resonate with Liberal activists. One source said he would bring a breath of fresh air to the provincial Liberals.
The Quebec lieutenant will be up against former immigration minister and former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre and Montreal MNA Frédéric Beauchemin.
On Wednesday, Beauchemin said he disagrees with Rodriguez's vision for public finance management "as it relates to the competitivity of Quebec" but he's looking forward to debating ideas with him.
"It doesn't matter where people come from as long as they have the interest of Quebec at heart," Beauchemin said.
Charles Milliard, the former president and general manager of the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce, and Matane lawyer Marc Bélanger have also announced their candidacy.
The race will officially begin in 2025 and the PLQ's new leader will be announced on June 14 in Quebec City.
Federal Public Services Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said Wednesday that he's very grateful for what Rodriguez has done for Canada and his departure "leaves a hole" in cabinet.
"He's a very imposing man in our cabinet and in our caucus, but there are a lot of other MPs and ministers that will stay behind and keep fighting for the interest of Quebecers and Canadians," Duclos said.
Decision unrelated to byelection loss, Miller says
Describing Rodriguez as a political mentor, MP Soraya Martinez Ferrada said he has given his life to politics.
"I have immense respect for Pablo," she said. "If he's announcing that he's going to Quebec, it's not because of opportunism."
News of Rodriguez stepping down from cabinet comes two days after the Liberal Party of Canada lost the byelection in its former stronghold of LaSalle—Émard—Verdun in Montreal.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller insisted Rodriguez's political future is unrelated to the loss.
"I'm 100 per cent confident that any decision about his own future has zero to do with the loss in LaSalle-Émard," Miller said.
At the National Assembly, the Liberal member for Pontiac, André Fortin, noted on Wednesday that Rodriguez has a "long list of accomplishments federally."
"He's somebody who brings a wealth of experience so I can't wait to see what he has to say to party members and Quebecers," Fortin said. He noted that it would be good to have "economic candidates, to have young candidates who can really portray a sense of renewal for the party."
Asked about Rodriguez's interest in the PLQ, Quebec Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault said Wednesday it would be good to have another transport minister with a "Quebec sensibility."
"Because we know we need money for our roads and public transit and there's some disengagement from the federal government in terms of financing," Guilbault said.
MNA calls Rodriguez 'the Quebec dream'
Of the PLQ's 19 elected members, only two have spoken out on the leadership race so far.
Chomedey MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier said she is supporting Frédéric Beauchemin, while Désirée McGraw, MNA for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, said she would back Rodriguez even before he announced his decision.
As a refugee who became a federal minister, Rodriguez embodies "the Quebec dream," said McGraw.
"He represents the very best of Quebec, an open, inclusive and confident Quebec that values each citizen regardless of their background," she said.
McGraw also said there's no connection between the byelection results and Rodriguez considering a jump into provincial politics. She added the PLQ is "a ship that has already sunk" and is now rebuilding.
"He's going from frankly a party that is actually more popular than ours right now," she said. "I don't think it's opportunistic at all. I think it's actually an act of political courage."
With files from Rosemary Barton, Sébastien Bovet, Cathy Senay and Antoni Nerestant
