The sudden departure of Pablo Rodriguez as leader of the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP) has dramatically reshaped the provincial political landscape, potentially clearing a path for his former leadership rival, Charles Milliard, to take the helm. This development, argues commentator Robert Libman, could transform a looming gift for the Parti Québécois into a crucial opportunity for federalist forces just ten months before the next provincial election.
A Vacuum Creates an Opportunity
Rodriguez announced his resignation in early January 2026, following weeks of allegations concerning irregularities during the leadership campaign he won just six months prior. His exit comes at a critical juncture. The governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) appears weakened after two terms, and polls indicate a majority of Quebecers are seeking an alternative. While the sovereigntist Parti Québécois, led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, has been leading in popular support, many voters remain hesitant about its core separatist platform.
Under Rodriguez, the Liberals struggled to become the default federalist alternative, particularly in attracting francophone voters outside Montreal. Libman suggests that Rodriguez, despite an impressive personal story and federal political experience, was not the right fit for Quebec's unique political arena and was unlikely to secure victory in October.
Milliard's Profile: A Potential "Saviour"
With Rodriguez's exit, attention turns to Charles Milliard, the candidate who finished a close second in the recent leadership race. Libman contends that Milliard, who has since seen his main rival for the succession, Karl Blackburn, bow out, possesses the attributes of a potential party saviour.
Milliard's background strategically intersects with Quebecers' top concerns: health care and the economy. A pharmacist by training with an MBA, he previously led the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, giving him deep roots in regional economic development. His geographic ties are broad, spanning Lévis, Mauricie, Bas-St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec City, and the Eastern Townships.
As a political outsider with strong business credentials, similar to figures like Mark Carney, Milliard carries less political baggage than his predecessor. Libman observes that Milliard exudes energy and charisma and possesses a potential "it factor" that could resonate on the campaign trail.
The Challenges Ahead: Scrutiny and Balancing Acts
The path to leadership and electoral success is fraught with challenges. First, Milliard must withstand intense media scrutiny. Libman warns that any "skeletons in his closet" will likely be unearthed by Quebec's vigorous press corps, and his toughness in this "media maelstrom" remains untested.
Secondly, he must perform a delicate balancing act on language politics. To win, he must capture soft-nationalist francophone votes without alienating the party's traditional anglophone base, which has propped up the Liberals for decades. To date, Milliard has advocated for unifying Quebecers around common issues like the economy, health, and education, arguing that protecting French does not require diminishing the anglophone community.
Libman concludes that the cult of leadership is paramount in Quebec, where virtually every premier has been a native Quebecer. With Charles Milliard as leader, a victory for the Parti Québécois in October 2026 becomes far less certain than it seemed just weeks ago. The Rodriguez departure, therefore, may have provided the Quebec Liberal Party with a last-minute chance to redefine itself and mount a credible challenge for government.
