(Quebec) Former senator and co-chair of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) revival committee André Pratte is finally closing the door on his chance to become the next leader of the official opposition in Quebec.
Published at 2:30 p.m.
In a written statement to La Presse, Mr Pratte reiterated that after “a few days of reflection and deliberations, I have definitely decided not to run for the leadership of the PLQ.”
“It quickly became clear that I did not have the skills, talents and resilience required for such a role,” he said.
Last month, Le Devoir reported that Mr Pratte was considering running in the PLQ leadership race, despite activists asking him not to run. The former senator and ex-editor of La Presse then reiterated that he had “no intention” of running in the race, leaving the door open.
Earlier this fall, Mr. Pratte presented Liberal activists with the conclusions of the committee to revitalize the PLQ, which he co-chaired with the MP for Montreal’s Bourassa-Sauvé riding, Madwa-Nika Cadet. This report suggests that the party consider adopting a constitution for Quebec, a law on interculturalism (as opposed to Canadian multiculturalism), commissioning experts to measure Quebec’s immigration absorption capacity and adopting “strong measures” to work to intensify the French presence.
At a conference earlier this month, the report’s findings were discussed by liberal activists, some of whom expressed distaste at the use of the term “nationalist.” The next party leader will not have his hands tied given the report’s conclusions.
The Liberals will elect their new leader in spring 2025. So far, the only person who has expressed interest has been kicked out of the group. This is MP Frédéric Beauchemin, who is currently taking part as an independent in two investigations into allegations of bullying by the leader of the Young Liberals against Mr Beauchemin and his team.