Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez recently revealed he will step down from his role in Cabinet to run for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party. He said he would make his official announcement in Gatineau, Que. on Thursday.
The news also comes on the heels of a devastating byelection defeat for the Liberals, who lost the Montreal-area seat of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun to the Bloc Québécois on Tuesday.
Rodriguez had alluded to being courted for a PLQ leadership bid last month, telling reporters that it would be a return to his roots as he once sat on the party’s youth commission years ago.
“As Minister of Transport and Quebec lieutenant in Justin Trudeau’s government, I am proud to work hard for the good of Quebecers and all Canadians. I am sincerely touched by the many requests I have received to return to where it all began for me,” he said in a written statement.
Rodriguez is expected to remain in office as the MNA for Honoré-Mercier for the time being as the leadership race won’t begin until January.
His entry makes him the fifth candidate to confirm his intentions to succeed PLQ Leader Dominique Anglade.
Other candidates include former federal minister and former mayor of Montreal Denis Coderre, former president of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec Charles Milliard, PLQ MNA for Marguerite-Bourgeoys Frédéric Beauchemin, and lawyer Marc Bélanger from Matane.
Minister of Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos, who represents the Quebec City riding, said Rodriguez’s departure will create a “void” in the party.
“Whether it’s today, tomorrow or the day before yesterday, it doesn’t really matter,” said Duclos. “The fact is that he leaves a magnificent legacy for the Quebec region, an extraordinary support for the actors in my riding.”
However, Duclos said that Rodriguez’s decision was not news to him and that it was made “some time ago” after much consideration.
The chair of the Quebec caucus for the federal Liberals, Stéphane Lauzon, echoed a similar sentiment, telling reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday that his departure was a “big loss.”
“Indeed, it’s a big loss for the Quebec caucus,” said Lauzon.
Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor also said she was “disappointed” to see Rodriguez leave.
His departure continues a trend of Liberal MPs who’ve already announced that they won’t be running again in the next election.
In addition to the exodus of MPs, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration has to contend with the loss of their campaign manager, Jeremy Broadhurst, who quit earlier this month.