The atmosphere was festive on Monday for the members of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) who were sworn in at the Red Room of the National Assembly.
On Oct. 5, the PLQ more than doubled its representation, increasing it from 18 to 40 by retaking several ridings in Montreal, Laval, Outaouais, Montérégie and Estrie.
A “real step forward,” according to former Liberal minister Jean-Marc Fournier, who attended the ceremony with other dignitaries such as former Premier Jean Charest and Lawrence Cannon.
Moreover, most of the MNAs warmly greeted Charest as they took their seats, including his son Antoine, elected for the first time in Verdun.
“I’m the new kid on the block,” he said, assuring that he wanted to learn the ropes within a PLQ that retains its status as the official opposition in the National Assembly.
Charest was keen to say that his son had “built himself up” and had “forged his own path.” “For us, this is a great moment of happiness,” he confided, standing next to his wife Michèle.
Madwa-Nika Cadet, the MNA for Bourassa-Sauvé, said she was “very proud.” “Our team worked so hard (…) and we have an extraordinary leader,” she said.
She promises that the PLQ will be a “constructive” opposition, which will collaborate with the Parti Québécois (PQ) government “when it is in the interest of Quebecers.”
Of the 40 Liberal elected officials, only the MNA for Vachon, Affine Lwalalika, was unable to participate in the ceremony because there is a judicial recount in her constituency.
It should be noted that all the Liberals, without exception, have sworn an oath to the people of Quebec, renouncing the oath of allegiance to the king, which has become optional since 2022.
Several of them chose to recite their oath in French and English.
Pride, clarity, and humility
In his speech, Liberal leader Charles Milliard stated that his MNAs could be proud, but that their pride should be accompanied by “a good dose of lucidity and humility.”
“The Liberal Party is back!” he declared. “If our rebuilding work were complete, we would be the ones forming the government today,” he emphasized.
“There are still many regions to win back. (…) The result of October 5th is certainly an important step, but it is certainly not the culmination of all our efforts.”
Furthermore, no one can presume how long Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s minority government will last, he noted, calling for mobilization and teamwork.
“To resolve crises, the government will find in us a reliable and open partner, but to create crises, (…) it will find in us a tough and intractable adversary,” he warned.
In a press briefing, he specified that he would be “uncompromising” on the issue of immigration in the region, the need to clean up public finances and the national question.
Milliard asserted that the lily is “just as brilliant alongside the maple leaf,” a federalist plea that triggered thunderous applause.
Parliamentary officers
On Sunday, Milliard revealed the composition of his close protection team.
Veteran André Fortin will occupy the crucial position of parliamentary leader, while Julie White, who wrested Jean-Talon from the PQ, will be deputy leader.
Cadet was appointed chief whip and Filomena Rotiroti, caucus chair.
Milliard’s chief of staff is Pascal D’Astous, an experienced advisor who notably worked in the Charest and Couillard governments.
– With information from Patrice Bergeron
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
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