'I want to be the premier of all Quebecers,' Dominique Anglade says

Liberal leader says François Legault is trying to divide Quebecers and create tensions with Ottawa, while ignoring real problems.

Author of the article:

Jason Magder • Montreal Gazette

Dérisée McGraw is flanked by outgoing MNA Kathleen Weil, left, and Quebec Liberal Party Leader Dominique Anglade after being introduced as the candidate in the Notre-Dame-de Grâce riding on Monday. Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

The CAQ’s recent recruitment of former sovereignist candidates shows François Legault plans to pick fights with Ottawa if elected to a second mandate, Quebec Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade warned.

Last week, the ruling CAQ party announced that former PQ minister Bernard Drainville will return to politics, to run for the CAQ in October’s election in the Lévis riding near Quebec City.

Drainville was a PQ MNA and minister from 2007 to 2016. As a cabinet minister in the Marois government, he was responsible for the drafting of Bill 60 in 2013 — better known as the charter of values — which proposed a total ban on religious symbols in the public sector.

The CAQ also announced over the weekend that former Bloc Québécois MP and former Longueuil Mayor Caroline St-Hilaire will run in the Sherbrooke riding.

Speaking Monday at the announcement of her own new candidate in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce riding, Anglade was asked about the CAQ’s new candidates. She said it shows Legault’s fights with Ottawa are meant to distract from the government’s dismal record on health care, climate change and the economy.

“We’re facing many crises, like inflation, climate change, housing, and François Legault is trying to pick a fight with Ottawa on false premises; he’s trying to create his own crisis,” Anglade said at the St. Raymond’s Center alongside new candidate Désirée McGraw and outgoing candidate Kathleen Weil. “And by recruiting people that have been fighting for the separation of Quebec, he’s sending a clear message. I don’t think he wants to work with Ottawa.”

She added that in passing Bill 96 and Bill 21, the CAQ is trying to drive a wedge through Quebecers, while the Liberals would work on uniting the province. She called Drainville’s charter of values, which influenced the CAQ’s Bill 21, “la charte de la chicane,” in French, meaning a charter of squabbles.

“Politics of division have no place in Quebec,” Anglade said. “François Legault wants to be the premier of certain Quebecers. I want to be the premier of all Quebecers.”

McGraw also weighed in, saying the coming election will be a crucial one, and she believes Quebecers will reject the CAQ’s message.

“It’s a time when instead of focusing on real crises, this government is trying to drive us backward and create false divisions in Quebec and in our community,” she said.

However, Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon said last week there is no evidence the government is turning away from federalism.

“The CAQ is neither sovereignist nor nationalist,” Fitzgibbon said. “We are working in the context of a federation we respect. I am federalist. I enjoy working with my counterparts in Ottawa. “There is no danger of our caucus becoming sovereignist.”

Anglade was also asked about the steady stream of resignations from her party, as 13 sitting MNAs have announced they won’t seek another term, nearly half the caucus. Anglade said it’s good news, because the party is in a period of renewal.

“Yes, there are people leaving, but there are a lot of people coming, and that’s the message we’re sending Quebecers, that we are renewing the party,” Anglade said.

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