The MP Frédéric Beauchemin, who was expelled from the Liberal group following a bullying complaint, was a spoilsport in the PLQ General Council this weekend. Despite pressure from its supporters, the party opted for a late top race to attract outside candidates.
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The presence of the Beauchemin clan was particularly felt on Sunday when the Executive Committee confirmed the election of the next leader in spring 2025. The only potential candidate in the ranks, the spoilsport MP, wanted a quick result.
Party leaders said they wanted to avoid a “coronation” like the one that brought Dominique Anglade to the top of the PLQ in 2020.
Electing a new leader a year and a half before the elections will “maximize the chances of having several candidates from different backgrounds, if possible from outside,” explained the president of the electoral committee, Nicolas Plourde.
After recently choosing to skip his turn, Rep. Monsef Derraji now says he’s ready to jump into the fray to provoke a debate of ideas if only one candidate were in the race.
Uncertain fate
The fate of Frédéric Beauchemin remains uncertain following the two investigations currently carried out by the National Assembly and the PLQ.
The deputy claims to be collateral victims of a conflict between the president and the other members of the board of the Youth Commission, three of whom are his employees. For her part, the president of the youth wing claims that Mr. Beauchemin’s team tried to put pressure on her to influence the rules of the leadership competition in her favor.
However, interim leader Marc Tanguay indicated this weekend that he had expelled Mr Beauchemin because of “all the work”, a veiled reference to his criticism of the lack of leadership in the party.
He now refuses to say that Mr Beauchemin can rejoin the group if he is acquitted. “We’ll see over time,” commented the interim boss.
Disappointed activists
At the event, the confirmation of a delayed election was met negatively by several activists, including supporters of Mr Beauchemin. Accordingly, a quick election would allow the future leader to make himself known and rebuild the party.
“What we have today is not the will of the grassroots,” complained Paul-Eugène Grenon, member of the Dubuc constituency.
Maïa Gonthier, vice-president of the Youth Commission, also assured that “local activists want a quick race”.
A claim that was, however, questioned by another young liberal, Patrick Pederian, who said he was never interviewed by the Youth Commission.
Former minister Lucie Charlebois, who was present at the event, tried to calm the situation. “I ask Mr. Beauchemin’s team to show a little respect and let other candidates come forward. If we are proud to be in the race, we must be proud to have competition,” she said into the microphone.