K.C. Jordan, LJI Journalist
Pontiac’s Liberal MNA André Fortin and Quebec Liberal Party leadership hopeful Charles Milliard toured the Pontiac on Wednesday to kick off Milliard’s campaign for the party’s top seat.
Milliard, who received Fortin’s endorsement last fall and now has the support of three other MNAs, was previously head of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec, as well as pharmacist and executive vice-president of Uniprix.
So far, three other candidates have entered the race, which officially kicked off Jan. 13: former federal cabinet minister Pablo Rodriguez, former Montreal mayor and Liberal MP Denis Coderre, and international tax lawyer Marc Bélanger.
On Wednesday, Milliard and Fortin made stops in Waltham, Campbell’s Bay, Fort Coulonge and Shawville, discussing issues such as healthcare, housing, agriculture and language rights.
Milliard said with his medical background he is well-attuned to the healthcare challenges in the Outaouais. If elected premier, he said he would be committed to passing a law to bring Outaouais healthcare workers’ salaries on par with those offered in Ontario.
“I think it’s a way of recognizing that the region has a particular need, because in the rest of Quebec we don’t have that issue. So if we can redefine work conditions so they are similar to those in Ontario, I think we will re-absorb that labour,” Milliard said.
In previous interviews with media Milliard has also stated his intention to re-invest $200 million into Outaouais healthcare, to bring the region on par with per-person healthcare spending across the province.
“The baseline in Quebec is that you pay your taxes and you get services, no matter where you live,” he said, emphasizing his intention to prioritize rural regions.
“The regions of Quebec, it’s not a one-size-fits-all, there are precise solutions for certain regions, and I am committed to do that in government.”
Milliard, who comes from a francophone family in Lévis but who learned English working as a historical interpreter in Ottawa, said he is committed to honouring the rights of anglophones across the province.
“The contribution of anglophones to life in Quebec is a richness, and mastering English is a ticket to success in business and many other areas. So we must protect the rights of the anglophone community, and I think it’s important that someone like me who comes from a francophone background explains that reality to francophones,” he said.
Fortin said he is endorsing Milliard for leader because he is in touch with issues people in the Pontiac are concerned about.
“He wants to run a bread-and-butter campaign about issues that I hear about here in this region. Healthcare, education, areas in which the CAQ is cutting right now, but that should be our number one priority,” he said.
“People pay taxes for healthcare, and they pay taxes expecting quality education for their children. So having somebody who’s focused on those issues, I think will reach a lot of the aspirations of people in this region.”
The next leader of the Quebec Liberal Party will be elected on June 14.