Former Prime Minister Jean Charest is “impressed” by the report of the Committee for the Revival of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ), which proposes, in particular, the introduction of preferential voting and the drafting of a constitution for Quebec.
On the sidelines of the inauguration of the Romaine hydroelectric power station, the former Liberal leader described the working document as substantial and substantive.
This is done with a long-term perspective and if we [en] conducted the review, including the idea of a new constitution for Quebec, an idea I did not have [soutenue]Interculturality, the question of an industrial policy… I am very impressed by this, said Mr Charest.
According to the latter, the PLQ occupies a very important place in the Quebec political scene.
This is very healthy for democracy, concluded the former prime minister, who says he still sees himself in the PLQ.
Federalist by conviction
André Pratte, former senator and co-president of the PLQ’s revival committee, argued in his speech on Midi Info at ICI Première that the party, which lost many votes in the last two general elections, must focus on the terms contained in the title just published report: We stand our ground, unite and thrive.
“We are a Quebec party, we have always defended the interests of Quebec, that is our absolute priority,” emphasized Mr. Pratte.
But we believe the best way to do this is within the Canadian federation.
Still, according to Mr. Pratte, there aren’t many federalist parties with conviction in Quebec.
The latter also attacked the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), not wanting to comment on the federalist aspect of François Legault’s party, but attacking those who were only on the sidelines and from time to time threw stones at the Federation, because it pays off.
Federalism works when partners play an active role, working together and building coalitions, Mr. Pratte added.
Food for thought
What else does André Pratte say about the many proposals contained in the report, including a reform of the electoral method, to those who claim that it is a disguised electoral program?
Yes, we decided to remember our values and basic principles, but if we remain at the theoretical level of political philosophy, we will not have fully fulfilled our role and will not have been faithful to what the activists said to us, said the former senator .
This is not an electoral platform: these are ideas presented to the party. He emphasized that these were food for thought.
Could the same line of thinking convince the former columnist and senator to jump into the fray when no candidacy to succeed Dominique Anglade at the top of the PLQ has been identified?
André Pratte says he has no intention of running in the leadership race. At the moment no one is coming to pick me up, he claims.
And Mr Pratte is quick to point out that the report released on Thursday is a first step towards rebuilding the PLQ. It is important to reconnect with activists who may have previously been somewhat neglected by the party.